The Holy War – John Bunyan

me, for their desperate rebellions against me.[22]
This you see was the charge, but something stepped in betwixt that and
execution, for as yet there was but little more done than to rage. Moreover,
when Diabolus had done thus, he went the next way up to the castle gates,
and demanded that, upon pain of death, the gates should be opened to him,
and that entrance should be given him and his men that followed after. To
whom Mr. Godly-fear replied,--for he it was that had the charge of that gate-
-that the gate should not be opened unto him, nor to the men that followed
after him. He said, moreover, that Mansoul, when she had suffered awhile,
should be made perfect, strengthened, settled (1 Peter 5:10).
Then said Diabolus, Deliver me then the men that have petitioned
against me, especially Captain Credence that carried it to your Prince; deliver
that varlet into my hands, and I will depart from the town.
Then up starts a Diabolonian, whose name was Mr. Fooling, and said,
My Lord offereth you fair, it is better for you that one man perish, than that
your whole Mansoul should be undone.
But Mr. Godly-fear made him this replication, How long will Mansoul
be kept out of the dungeon,[23] when she hath given up her faith to
Diabolus? As good lose the town as lose Captain Credence; for if one be
gone, the other must follow.[24] But to that Mr. Fooling said nothing.
Then did my Lord Mayor reply, and said, O thou devouring tyrant, be it
known unto thee, we shall hearken to none of thy words; we are resolved to
resist thee as long as a captain, a man, a sling, and a stone to throw at thee,
shall be found in the town of Mansoul. But Diabolus answered, Do you hope,
do you wait, do you look for help and deliverance? You have sent to
Emmanuel, but your wickedness sticks too close in your skirts, to let
innocent prayers come out of your lips.[25] Think you that you shall be
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