Since, therefore, the giant could not
make him wholly his own, what doth he do but studies all that he
could to debauch the old gentleman, and by debauchery to stupefy
his mind, and more harden his heart in the ways of vanity. And as
he attempted, so he accomplished his design: he debauched the man,
and by little and little so drew him into sin and wickedness, that
at last he was not only debauched, as at first, and so by
consequence defiled, but was almost (at last, I say) past all
conscience of sin. And this was the farthest Diabolus could go.
Wherefore he bethinks him of another project, and that was, to
persuade the men of the town that Mr. Recorder was mad, and so not
to be regarded. And for this he urged his fits, and said, 'If he
be himself, why doth he not do thus always? But,' quoth he, 'as
all mad folks have their fits, and in them their raving language,
so hath this old and doating gentleman.'
Thus, by one means or another, he quickly got Mansoul to slight,
neglect, and despise whatever Mr. Recorder could say. For, besides
what already you have heard, Diabolus had a way to make the old
gentleman, when he was merry, unsay and deny what he in his fits
had affirmed.
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