The Holy War – John Bunyan

earing of office in Mansoul, and seeing that the town, before he came to it,
was the most ancient of corporations in the world; and fearing, if he did not
maintain greatness, that they at any time should object that he had done them
an injury, therefore, I say, that they might see that he did not intend to lessen
their grandeur, or to take from them any of their advantageous things, he did
choose for them a Lord Mayor and a Recorder himself; and such as
contented them at the heart, and such also as pleased him wondrous well.
The name of the Mayor that was of Diabolus' making was the Lord
Lustings; a man that had neither eyes nor ears; all that he did, whether as a
man or as an officer, he did it naturally, as doth the beast.[16] And that
which made him yet the more ignoble, though not to Mansoul, yet to them
that beheld and were grieved for its ruins, was, that he never could savour
good, but evil.
The Recorder was one whose name was Forget-good; and a very sorry
fellow he was. He could remember nothing but mischief, and to do it with
delight. He was naturally prone to do things that were hurtful; even hurtful to
the town of Mansoul, and to all the dwellers there. These two, therefore, by
their power and practice, example and smiles upon evil, did much more
grammar,[17] and settle the common people in hurtful ways. For who doth
not perceive, but when those that sit aloft are vile, and corrupt themselves,
they corrupt the whole region and country where they are?[18]
Besides these, Diabolus made several burgesses and aldermen in
Mansoul; such as out of whom the town, when it needed, might choose them
officers, governors, and magistrates. And these are the names of the chief of
them, Mr. Incredulity, Mr. Haughty, Mr. Swearing, Mr. Whoring, Mr. Hardheart,
Mr. Pitiless, Mr. Fury, Mr. No-truth, Mr. Stand-to-lies, Mr. Falsepeace,
Mr. Drunkenness, Mr. Cheating, Mr. Atheism-- thirteen in all. Mr.
Incredulity is the eldest, and Mr. Atheism the youngest, of the company.[19]
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