’Third.  Wherefore gird them up from the ground, and let them not lag with dust and dirt.

’Fourth.  Take heed that you lose them not, lest you walk naked, and they see your shame.

’Fifth.  But if you should sully them, if you should defile them, the which I am greatly unwilling you should, and the prince Diabolus will be glad if you would, then speed you to do that which is written in my law, that yet you may stand, and befall before me, and before my throne.  Also, this is the way to cause that I may not leave you, nor forsake you while here, but may dwell in this town of Mansoul for ever.’

And now was Mansoul, and the inhabitants of it, as the signet upon Emmanuel’s right hand.  Where was there now a town, a city, a corporation, that could compare with Mansoul! a town redeemed from the hand, and from the power of Diabolus! a town that the King Shaddai loved, and that he sent Emmanuel to regain from the Prince of the infernal cave; yea, a town that Emmanuel loved to dwell in, and that he chose for his royal habitation; a town that he fortified for himself, and made strong by the force of his army.  What shall I say, Mansoul has now a most excellent Prince, golden captains and men of war, weapons proved, and garments as white as snow.  Nor are these benefits to be counted little, but great; can the town of Mansoul esteem them so, and improve them to that end and purpose for which they are bestowed upon them?

When the Prince had thus completed the modelling of the town, to show that he had great delight in the work of his hands and took pleasure in the good that he had wrought for the famous and flourishing Mansoul, he commanded, and they set his standard upon the battlements of the castle.  And then,

First.  He gave them frequent visits; not a day now but the elders of Mansoul must come to him, or he to them, into his palace.  Now they must walk and talk together of all the great things that he had done, and yet further promised to do, for the town of Mansoul.  Thus would he often do with the Lord Mayor, my Lord Willbewill, and the honest subordinate preacher Mr. Conscience, and Mr. Recorder.  But oh, how graciously, how lovingly, how courteously, and tenderly did this blessed Prince now carry it towards the town of Mansoul!  In all the streets, gardens, orchards, and other places where he came, to be sure the poor should have his blessing and benediction; yea, he would kiss them, and if they were ill he would lay hands on them, and make them well.  The captains, also, he would daily, yea, sometimes hourly, encourage with his presence and goodly words.  For you must know that a smile from him upon them would put more vigour, more life, and stoutness into them, than would anything else under heaven.

The Prince would now also feast them, and be with them continually:  hardly a week would pass but a banquet must be had betwixt him and them.  You may remember that, some pages before, we make mention of one feast that they had together; but now to feast them was a thing more common:  every day with Mansoul was a feast-day now.  Nor did he, when they returned to their places, send them empty away, either they must have a ring, a gold chain, a bracelet, a white stone, or something; so dear was Mansoul to him now; so lovely was Mansoul in his eyes.