So, after the brave Captain Credence had delivered his notes to those to whom they belonged, he retired himself to my Lord Secretary’s lodgings, and there spends time in conversing with him; for they too were very great one with another, and did indeed know more how things would go with Mansoul than did all the townsmen besides.  The Lord Secretary also loved the Captain Credence dearly; yea, many a good bit was sent 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 some time for converse was spent, the captain betook himself to his chambers to rest.  But it was not long after when my Lord did send for the captain again; so the captain came to him, and they greeted one another with usual salutations.  Then said the captain to the Lord Secretary, ’What hath my Lord to say to his servant?’ So the Lord Secretary took him and had him aside, and after a sign or two of more favour, he said, ’I have made thee the Lord’s lieutenant over all the forces in Mansoul; so that, from this day forward, all men in Mansoul shall be at thy word; and thou shalt be he that shall lead in, and that shall lead out Mansoul.  Thou shalt therefore manage, according to thy place, the war for thy Prince, and for the town of Mansoul, against the force and power of Diabolus; and at thy command shall the rest of the captains be.’

Now the townsmen began to perceive what interest the captain had, both with the court, and also with the Lord Secretary in Mansoul; for no man before could speed when sent, nor bring such good news from Emmanuel as he.  Wherefore what do they, after some lamentation that they made no more use of him in their distresses, but send by their subordinate preacher to the Lord Secretary, to desire him that all that ever they were and had might be put under the government, care, custody, and conduct of Captain Credence.

So their preacher went and did 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 Mansoul.  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 forthwith called a council of war, that he might be revenged 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 consult what to do.  Now the effect and conclusion of the council that day was how they might take the castle, because they could not conclude themselves masters of the town so long as that was in the possession of their enemies.