Christian’s eyes have been opened not only to his own sin, but to an impending sense of judgement; he, and all those he loves stand under judgement and all could be lost. Disturbed by this, his neighbours do what we would all do – they think him a bit daft in the head, and try to jolly him out of it. But Christian is gripped by his epiphany and he asks, as the Apostle Paul did: ‘“What shall I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30.
His question is answered by the first of a series of characters who represent the options open to us: Evangelist. He confesses his fear of hell, and asks:
“Whither must I fly?” Then said Evangelist, (pointing with his finger over a very wide field,) “Do you see yonder wicket-gate?” Matt. 7:13,14. The man said, “No.” Then said the other, “Do you see yonder shining light?” Psalm 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:19. He said, “I think I do.” Then said Evangelist, “Keep that light in your eye, and go up directly thereto, so shalt thou see the gate; at which, when thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do.”
So begins the Pilgrim’s Progress, as he follows the injunction to leave all and follow Christ.
Two neighbours pursue him, intent on stopping him. Obstinate cannot understand what it is which impels him to leave his ‘friends and his comforts’, whilst Pliable goes along with him until the reach the Slough of Despond – at which point, discouraged, he departs. Christian only gets through because another character, Help, assists. He tells Christian:
“This miry slough is such a place as cannot be mended: it is the descent whither the scum and filth that attends conviction for sin doth continually run, and therefore it is called the Slough of Despond; for still, as the sinner is awakened about his lost condition, there arise in his soul many fears and doubts, and discouraging apprehensions, which all of them get together, and settle in this place: and this is the reason of the badness of this ground.”
Bunyan’s message is clear and it is the product not simply of his own consciousness, but that of many of us, my friends. And here is the danger of the ‘born again’ movement.
It is good and right to be stirred up to a sense of our sinfulness and to seek to do something about it. For sure, the worldlings will get in the way; but so too will the worldling in us. What, are we the sinner we were when we first woke to Christ? Surely we should be a ‘new creation’, and yet we are mired in filth and like the dog return to our vomit. Surely then we cannot be born anew? Bunyan, like so many Baptists, knew better. God quickens the heart, conscience-stricken we turn to Him – but we are not free of the cares of the world, neither are we clean. We are awake, we are aware of the Lord God of Hosts. Are we, in that state, aware of His love for us? As we, like Christian, suffer and groan, are we remembering Him who suffered on that Cross for us?
At that point, like Christian, we are ready for the advice of Mr Worldly Wiseman. It his to his counsel we shall go next.
GRSS
All Along the Watchtower 
I read PP years ago, and being a sceptIcal old witch, I looked for bits to dislike rather than to like, and was duly satisfied by a later episode than this. Now however, I am secure in my own beliefs, i look for similarities not differences, and for what points of agreement there are between different Christians, because the Enemy is growing more and more visible.
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As I hope to relate, as a lad it was the story which first really engaged me with the Christian message – like most lads I was a blood-thirsty little monster, and David and Goliath, like Samson slaying the Phils (Eccles could do with one), kept me going through many a long pi-jaw.
Wouldn’t be allowed now – more’s the pity.
Aye, the Enemy is in plain sight – and yet we fiddle about about as he likes. We should be joining Christian facing up to Appolyon.
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It’s also been years since I read PP. Remember it as being somewhat hard going as the language was a bit archaic (now one of the things I love) other than that, I can only claim to remember high points, so find this exposition quite fascinating.
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Thank you. I hope it makes sense. It is partly because it is now not much read that I am attempting this exposition – which is part summary and part sermon.
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According to my memory, that’s pretty much what the book was, I think I need to reread it (like so many others.)
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Your memory is accurate. I’ve no idea whether this little set of posts will work or bore the pants off folk – no doubt they’ll me me know. Don’t want to put Jessica’s regular folk off.
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I don’t know either. I do know that Jess and I are both enjoying it for whatever that is worth.
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t’s worth a good deal. I reckon it will take about a week.
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That will, in my estimation, be a week well spent
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It is to be hoped so.
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It is so hoped 🙂
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Thank you. I see our hostess has posted, so I will away and read what she has to say. I hope to be here again tomorrow.
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I am there as well, so we will no doubt meet. I shall look forward to tomorrow.
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Matt 7;13 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
What must i do to be saved? Believe in The lord. That means believe what he says. Jesus is the Word. He says to ask him to be born again, and to come in and sup with him. yes, it is that simple.
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Simple and yet not so simple, for as we go on we meet, as Christian does, the lusts of the flesh and the works of the devil, and even the devil himself Bosco. Like Christian in the story, we must carry our burden, and even when it is lifted – we must be alert for the work of the great Enemy.
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You know what Geoff, the lust of the flesh ride ruff shod over me. My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. I dont think any of us are free until we shed this body. Alert for the works of the enemy? I dont have to be alert. The devil rides my back like a champ.
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I know it well Bosco. I was not always an old man, and when I was young I was tempted as all young men are, and if I did not fall, well that was Grace, and perhaps lack of opportunity; it is easier now to fall that way.
Aye, the Devil will ride you Bosco, as he will all of us. Christian, the Pilgrim, is every one of us, and his story is your story and it is mine too.
Yes, we are sinners all, but God reaches out and loves us as we are. The call to repent and live better is eternal – because as long as we are in this life, we need to hear it.
This life is a trial for any Christian, Bosco, and the world, the flesh and the Devil, are ever present. The greatest sin, Bosco, is to despair. That’s the Devil’s trump card – and Christ trumps that – if we call on Him and keep Him close.
The blessing of God be with you, Brother.
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Pilgrim’s Progress is very well written (well, Part 1 anyway), though it’s no great masterpiece as such — it’s one of the books I approached during my own initial conversion period.
Some of the metaphorical episodes are quite striking, though I felt ultimately that Bunyan’s views coincided neither with my understanding of pilgrimage itself, whether as a practical or a spiritual activity ; nor with my understanding of God.
The more puritanical paraphernalia in the writing I found simply off-putting.
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That it has lasted as long as it has and been as widely read as it does attests to its power. Everyone will react in a different manner, and of course, in some ways it is, as all literature is, a product of its time.
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