The Holy War – John Bunyan

was forthwith drawn up for them. But now who should carry it, that was
next. But the Secretary advised that Captain Credence should carry it, for he
was a well-spoken man. They, therefore, called for him, and propounded to
him the business. Well, said the captain, I gladly accept of the motion; and
though I am lame, I will do this business for you with as much speed, and as
well as I can.
The contents of the petition were to this purpose--
'O our Lord, and Sovereign Prince Emmanuel, the potent, the longsuffering
Prince: grace is poured into thy lips, and to thee belongs mercy and
forgiveness, though we have rebelled against thee. We who are no more
worthy to be called thy Mansoul, nor yet fit to partake of common benefits,
do beseech thee, and thy Father by thee to do away our transgressions. We
confess that thou mightest cast us away for them, but do it not for thy name's
sake; let the Lord rather take an opportunity at our miserable condition, to let
out his bowels and compassions to us; we are compassed on every side,
Lord, our own backslidings reprove us; our Diabolonians within our town
fright us, and the army of the angel of the bottomless pit distresses us. Thy
grace can be our salvation, and whither to go but to thee we know not.
'Furthermore, O gracious Prince, we have weakened our captains, and
they are discouraged, sick, and of late some of them grievously worsted and
beaten out of the field by the power and force of the tyrant. Yea, even those
of our captains in whose valour we did formerly use to put most of our
confidence, they are as wounded men. Besides, Lord, our enemies are lively,
and they are strong, they vaunt and boast themselves, and do threaten to part
us among themselves for a booty. They are fallen also upon us, Lord, with
many thousand Doubters, such as with whom we cannot tell what to do; they
are all grim-looked, and unmerciful ones, and they bid defiance to us and
thee.[20]
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