The Holy War – John Bunyan

Judgment made up the main body, and Captain Execution brought up the
rear (Eph 2:13,17). They then having a great way to go, for the town of
Mansoul was far off from the court of Shaddai, they marched through the
regions and countries of many people, not hurting or abusing any, but
blessing wherever they came. They also lived upon the King's cost in all the
way they went.[7]
Having travelled thus for many days,[8] at last they came within sight of
Mansoul; the which, when they saw, the captains could for their hearts do no
less than for a while bewail the condition of the town, for they quickly saw
how that it was prostrate to the will of Diabolus, and to his ways and designs.
Well, to be short, the captains came up before the town, march up to Eargate,
sit down there, for that was the place of hearing. So, when they had
pitched their tents and entrenched themselves, they addressed themselves to
make their assault.
Now the townsfolk at first, beholding so gallant a company, so bravely
accoutred, and so excellently disciplined, having on their glittering armour,
and displaying of their flying colours, could not but come out of their houses
and gaze. But the cunning fox, Diabolus, fearing that the people, after this
sight, should on a sudden summons, open the gates to the captains, came
down with all haste from the castle, and made them retire into the body of
the town, who, when he had them there, made this lying and deceivable
speech unto them:--
'Gentlemen,' quoth he, 'although you are my trusty and well-beloved
friends, yet I cannot but a little chide you for your late uncircumspect action,
in going out to gaze on that great and mighty force that but yesterday sat
down before, and have now entrenched themselves, in order to the
maintaining of a siege against, the famous town of Mansoul. Do you know
who they are, whence they come, and what is their purpose in setting down
before the town of Mansoul? They are they of whom I have told you long
52