The Holy War – John Bunyan

first place he hangs out the white flag, which he caused to be set up among
the golden slings that were planted upon Mount Gracious. And this he did for
two reasons: 1. To give notice to Mansoul that he could and would yet be
gracious if they turned to him. 2. And that he might leave them the more
without excuse, should he destroy them, they continuing in their rebellion.
So the white flag, with the three golden doves on it, was hanged out for
two days together, to give them time and space to consider. But they, as was
hinted before, as if they were unconcerned, made no reply to the favourable
signal of the Prince. Then he commanded, and they set the red flag upon that
mount called Mount Justice. It was the red flag of Captain Judgment, whose
scutcheon was the burning fiery furnace, and this also stood waving before
them in the wind for several days together. But look how they carried it
under the white flag when that was hanged out, so did they also when the red
one was, and yet he took no advantage of them.
Then he commanded again that his servants would hang out the black
flag of defiance against them, whose scutcheon was the three burning
thunder-bolts. But as unconcerned was Mansoul at this as at those that went
before. But when the Prince saw that neither mercy, nor judgment, nor
execution of judgment, would or could come near the heart of Mansoul, he
was touched with much compunction, and said, 'Surely this strange carriage
of the town of Mansoul doth rather arise from ignorance of the manner and
feats of war, than from a secret defiance of us, and abhorrence of their own
lives; or, if they know the manner of the war of their own, yet not the rites
and ceremonies of the wars in which we are concerned, when I make wars
upon mine enemy Diabolus.'
Therefore, he sent to the town of Mansoul, to let them know what he
meant by those signs and ceremonies of the flag, and also to know of them
which of the things they would choose, whether grace and mercy, or
judgment and the execution of judgment. All this while they kept their gates
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