’Now, King of kings, let it please thee to pardon the unsuccessfulness of thy servants, who have been no more advantageous in so desirable a work as the conquering of Mansoul is.  And send, Lord, as we now desire, more forces to Mansoul, that it may be subdued; and a man to head them, that the town may both love and fear.

’We do not thus speak because we are willing to relinquish the wars, (for we are for laying of our bones against the place,) but that the town of Mansoul may be won for thy Majesty.  We also pray thy Majesty, for expedition in this matter, that, after their conquest, we may be at liberty to be sent about other thy gracious designs.  Amen.’

The petition, thus drawn up, was sent away with haste to the King by the hand of that good man, Mr. Love-to-Mansoul.

When this petition was come to the palace of the King, who should it be delivered to but to the King’s Son?  So he took it and read it, and because the contents of it pleased him well, he mended, and also in some things added to the petition himself.  So, after he had made such amendments and additions as he thought convenient, with his own hand, he carried it in to the King; to whom, when he had with obeisance delivered it, he put on authority, and spake to it himself.

Now the King, at the sight of the petition, was glad; but how much more, think you, when it was seconded by his Son!  It pleased him also to hear that his servants who camped against Mansoul were so hearty in the work, and so steadfast in their resolves, and that they had already got some ground upon the famous town of Mansoul.

Wherefore the King called to him Emmanuel, his Son, who said, ’Here am I, my Father.’  Then said the King, ’Thou knowest, as I do myself, the condition of the town of Mansoul, and what we have purposed, and what thou hast done to redeem it.  Come now, therefore, my Son, and prepare thyself for the war, for thou shalt go to my camp at Mansoul.  Thou shalt also there prosper and prevail, and conquer the town of Mansoul.’

Then said the King’s Son, ’Thy law is within my heart:  I delight to do thy will.  This is the day that I have longed for, and the work that I have waited for all this while.  Grant me, therefore, what force thou shalt in thy wisdom think meet; and I will go and will deliver from Diabolus, and from his power, thy perishing town of Mansoul.  My heart has been often pained within me for the miserable town of Mansoul; but now it is rejoiced, but now it is glad,’

And with that he leaped over the mountains for joy, saying, ’I have not, in my heart, thought anything too dear for Mansoul:  the day of vengeance is in mine heart for thee, my Mansoul:  and glad am I that thou, my Father, hast made me the Captain of their salvation.  And I will now begin to plague all those that have been a plague to my town of Mansoul, and will deliver it from their hand.’