‘My Mansoul,’ said he, ‘that which I now am about to do, is to make you known to the world to be mine, and to distinguish you also in your own eyes, from all false traitors that may creep in among you.’
Then he commanded that those that waited upon him should go and bring forth out of his treasury those white and glistening robes ‘that I,’ said he, ‘have provided and laid up in store for my Mansoul.’ So the white garments were fetched out of his treasury, and laid forth to the eyes of the people. Moreover, it was granted to them that they should take them and put them on, ‘according,’ said he, ‘to your size and stature.’ So the people were put into white, into fine linen, white and clean.
Then said the Prince unto them, ‘This, O Mansoul, is my livery, and the badge by which mine are known from the servants of others. Yea, it is that which I grant to all that are mine, and without which no man is permitted to see my face. Wear them, therefore, for my sake, who gave them unto you; and also if you would be known by the world to be mine.’
But now! can you think how Mansoul shone? It was fair as the sun, clear as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners.
The Prince added further, and said, ‘No prince, potentate, or mighty one of Universe, giveth this livery but myself: behold, therefore, as I said before, you shall be known by it to be mine.
‘And now,’ said he, ‘I have given you my livery, let me give you also in commandment concerning them; and be sure that you take good heed to my words.
‘First. Wear them daily, day by day, lest you should at sometimes appear to others as if you were none of mine.
‘Second. Keep them always white; for if they be soiled, it is dishonour to me.
‘Third. Wherefore gird them up from the ground, and let them not lag with dust and dirt.
‘Fourth. Take heed that you lose them not, lest you walk naked, and they see your shame.
‘Fifth. But if you should sully them, if you should defile them, the which I am greatly unwilling you should, and the prince Diabolus will be glad if you would, then speed you to do that which is written in my law, that yet you may stand, and befall before me, and before my throne. Also, this is the way to cause that I may not leave you, nor forsake you while here, but may dwell in this town of Mansoul for ever.’