Pilgrim's Progress People & Place
Concordance
by Bruce T. Forbes, copyright 2008-2009
This is very much a first draft - there are bound to be mistakes. Please remember the admonition of an ancient prophet:
"...And now, if there are
faults they are the mistakes of men;
wherefore, condemn not the things of God..."
All
biblical quotes are from the King James Version unless specified otherwise.
Most quotes from PILGRIM'S PROGRESS are from an 1853 copy of which I have an
electronic copy and can cut and paste.
There is also a downloadable version at my Feedbooks page.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or even compliments!), please write to me at -
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the movie.
w Adam the First w All-Prayer w Any-thing w Apollyon w Apostasy w Arbour w Arrogancy w Assault Lane w Atheist w
w Bath, garden of w Bat's-Eyes w Beautiful, Palace w Beelzebub/Beelzebub's castle w Beulah, Country of w Blindman w Bliss w Bloody-Man w Bountiful w Brisk, Mr. w Book w Bottomless Pit w Broadway-Gate w Bubble, Madam w Burden w Burning Lake w By-Ends w By-path Meadow w By-way to Hell w
w Carnal-Delights w Carnal Policy w Catholic Church w Caution w Celestial City w Charity w Charity, Holy Kiss of w Charity, Mount w Christian w Christian Acts/Deeds w Christiana w Civility w Conceit, Country of w Conductor w Confusion, Clouds of w Contrite w Coveting w Cross w Cruelty w
w Damnable Apostate w Danger & Destruction w Dare-not-Lie w Dark-Land w Dead-Man's Lane w Dead Sea w Death, Valley of the Shadow of w Demas w Desire of Vain-Glory w Devil's Garden w Deliverance, Place of w Despair, Giant w Despair, Iron Cage of w Despond, Slough of w Despondency w Destruction, path w Destruction, City of w Difficulty, Hill w Diffidence w Discontent w Discretion w Doubting Castle w Dragons of the pit w Dull w
w Ease, Plain of w Emmanuel's Land w Enchanted Ground w End of the Way w Enmity w Envy w Error w Evangelist w Evidence w Experience w
w Facing-both-ways w Faint-Heart w Fair-Speech w Fair-speech, Lord w Faith w Faith/Grace/Works w Faith/Hope/Charity w Fat Things w Fear w Fearful w Fearing, Mr. w Feeble-Mind w Feigning w Fetters w Filth w Fire & Brimstone w Flatterer w Fool w Forgetful Glen w Formalist & Hypocrisy w Fountain of Life w Four Boys w
w Gaius/Gaius' Inn w Gate w Gehazi w God w Godlyman w Golden Gate w Good-Confidence w Good-Conscience w Good Samaritan w Goodwill w Grace w Graceless w Great-Heart w Great-Grace w Great-Grace, Son of w Great One of the Fair w Grim w Gripeman w Guilt w Gulph w
w Hate-Good w Hate-Light w Having Greedy w Heady w Heavenly Jerusalem w Heedless w Heirs of Salvation w Hell w Help w Help, asking for w High-Mind w Hobgoblins w Hold-the-world w Holiness, Way of w Holy-Man w Honest, Mr. w Honesty w Hope w Hope & Fear w Hopeful w Humble-mind w Humiliation, valley of w Hypocrisy w
w Ignorance w Ill-Favored Ones w Ill-will w Immortals w Immortality w Implacable w Inchanted Ground w Inconsiderate w Innocent w Innocent, Mount w Interpreter/Interpreter's House w Iron Cage w
w James w Jesus Christ w Joseph w Judge of All w
w King w King's Highway w Know-Nothing w Knowledge w
w Law of Moses w Legality w Leachery w Lechery w Legion w Letter w Liar w Light of Life w Light-Mind w Linger-after-lust w Lion-like Men w Lions w Little-faith w Live-loose w Looking-Glass w Lord of the Hill Difficulty w Lot's Wife w Love-Saints w Love-the Flesh w Lovegain w Love-lust w Lucre, Hill of w Lust of the Eyes w Lust of the Flesh w Luxurious w
w Malice w Martha w Marvel, Mount w Master of the College of Physicians w Matthew w Maul w Merciful One w Mercy w Ministering Angels w Mistrust w Mnason w Money-love w Monster w Morality w Mount Zion w Much-Afraid w
w Pagan w Paradise of God w Parchment/Roll w Passion w Patience w Penitent w Phebe w Pick-Thank w Pillar shaped like a woman w Pleasant Meadow & River w Pleasant River w Pliable w Pope w Porter/Porter's Lodge w Pragmatick w Prating Row w Prejudice w Presumption w Pride w Pride of Life w Prince, the Lord of Mount Zion w Princely Gate w Promise, key w Prudence w
w Rape w Ready-to-Halt w Reliever w Rewards for the Pilgrims w River (of Death) w River of God w Roll with a Seal w Rogues w Rome w Ruin w
w Sagacity, Mr. w Salvation w Samuel w Satyrs w Save-all w Saveself w Say-well w Seal w Secret w Self-Conceit w Self-will, Mr. w Sepulchre w Sexual Assault w Shame w Sheepfold of a Good Shepherd w Shining Light w Shining Ones w Simple/Sloth/Presumption w Shepherds w Short-wind w Sincere w Skill, Mr. w Slay-good w Sleepy-head w Sloth w Slow-pace w Smooth-man w Snares of Death w Sovereign w Steadfast, Mr w Strait & Narrow Way w Strait Gate w Strong w Stupidity w Suicide w Superstition w
w Taste-that-which-is-good w Takeheed w Talkative w Tell-True w Temporary w Three Shining Ones w Time-server w Timorous w Too-bold w Tophet w Tree of Life w Troubles w Trumpeters w Turn-about w Turn-Away w Turnback w Turncoat w Two-tongues w
w Uncertain w
w Vain Confidence w Vain Glory w Vain Hope w Valiant-for-Truth w Valley of the Shadow of Death w Vanity / Vanity Fair w Very Dark Lane w
w Wanton w Wanton, Madam w Wanton Professor w Want-Wit w Watchful, Mr w Watchful (shepherd) w Water of Life w Way of Holiness w Wicket Gate w Wide Field w Wild-head w Wilderness w Works (Actions) w Worldy-Glory w Worldly Wiseman w
the name is the Greek form of the Hebrew 'Abaddon', meaning 'Destroyer'. In Christian lore he is the angel of the bottomless pit and thus one of the main generals under Satan. Some Bunyan scholars believe he is used here to not only represent the power of the devil but the power of an oppressive government as well, as represented by the conversation he and Christian hold - Apollyon claims to be the Prince and God of the city of Destruction and that he has come to claim Christian and to return him to that city.
He is also identified as one of three founders of the Fair at the town of Vanity.
(1) See Hill Difficulty. Also called the Prince's Arbour. Pilgrims find rest there before continuing up the hill.
(2) enchanted arbors in the Inchanted Ground. Pilgrims who go to sleep here may never rise again in this life. How many enchanted Arbors exist in the Inchanted Ground is not revealed, but a couple are mentioned in particular:
(a) 'Slothful's Friend'; an arbor in the Inchanted Ground which tempts the pilgrim to end their journey far too soon.
(b) an arbor in the Inchanted Ground where Heedless and Too-bold lay sleeping.
Sitting atop the Hill Difficulty,
the palace Beautiful is a way-station for the weary pilgrim; built by the Lord of the Hill for the relief
and security of pilgrims. One enters through the Porter's lodge
(formal gatehouse to the estate) where one is confronted by two terrible
lions. The Porter of the lodge, a man by the name of Watchful,
shouts encouragement and tells the pilgrim that the lions are chained and
that they are a test of one's faith and courage.
BOOK 1: In order to lodge for the night,
Christian, like all pilgrims, had to meet with the mistresses of the
house. Porter rang the bell and it was answered by Discretion. He was
admitted, and they were joined by Prudence (the ability to judge
between virtuous and vicious actions), Piety (to be devout), and
Charity. Passing their test,
Christian was
admitted into the presence of the rest of the palace's family for a supper
of fat things. He
is then escorted to a chamber called Peace to sleep for the night.
The following morning
Christian was told he couldn't leave until they'd showed him the
rarities (wonders; signs) of the house. Entering the Study, he
read of the acts of many of the pilgrims who'd preceded him - compare to
Hebrews chapter 11. He also read of how willing the Lord of the Hill is to
receive all into His favor.
The following day
Christian was taken to the Armoury, where he viewed all manner of
tools and weapons that had been used by Pilgrims in fighting Evil and with
which they and perform miracles.
The next day he is asked to wait for the morrow so he
could see the Delectable Mountains in
the Distance. He does so, and is able to see those pleasant mountains very
far in the distance, and finds out that they are port of
Emmanuel's Land. He is then taken back to the
Amoury, where he outfitted with amour of all kinds to protect him on
his pilgrimage.
As he makes to leave, he discovers that an old neighbor,
Faithful, had recently passed by. Discretion, Prudence,
Piety, and
Charity accompany him down the backside of the
hill to help keep him from falling and sliding. Offering him food and drink,
they return back up the hill, while he turns to face the
Valley of Humiliation (Humility).
In BOOK 2, Christina and her
party are met at the Porter's Lodge by the porter, Mr.
Watchful, who escorts them to the book of the palace Beautiful.
Humble-mind greets them at the door and welcomes them in. After a late
meal they are sent to rest in the same chamber that
Christian had slept in. She and Mercy sit up and discuss many things
that night.
Prudence, Piety, and
Charity minister to them as they did to
Christian and all pilgrims who stop at the palace.
Prudence tests the four boys' gospel knowledge and
pronounces them well taught.
Christina consents to stay at the palace for a month,
during which time Mercy's industry and acts of charity catch the eye of
Mr. Brisk, who tries to gain her for a wife,
but she refuses, telling how her sister Bountiful has once been married to such
a man.
While they were there, Matthew
became sick with the gripe (indigestion). Mr. Skill,
an ancient and well-approved doctor, was called, and he quickly discovered
the malady was due to the fruits from Beelzebub's
orchards. At first he tried a cure made from the blood of a goat, the
ashes of a heifer, and other items associated with the
Law of Moses, but these did not effect a cure,
so he then tried a pill made from Ex Carne & Singuine Christi (body &
blood of Christ) mixed with a promise or two and Salt (that undoubtedly had
not yet lost its savor) and taken with a quarter pint of the tears of
Repentance. Matthew exclaimed that is was sweeter
than honey. Christina tried to pay the doctor, but
he told her she must pay the
Master of the College of Physicians.
As Christina and her party get ready to leave the palace, she wrote
to Watchful and asked for
Great-heart to come and be their guide and protector on the rest of
their pilgrimage. While they waited for a reply, the household of Beautiful
took her to show her yet more things for her to meditate upon: one of the
apples that Eve had eaten of; Jacob's ladder; a Golden Anchor; the Mount
upon which Abraham had offered his son Isaac. Soon after that
Great-heart arrive. Prudence and Piety
accompanied them to the base of the hill towards the Valley of Humiliation
(Humility) to help the party descend without falling and then returned to
their positions in the palace. On their way they hear Country Birds,
and Piety gives them a written scheme (outline) of everything they
saw in the palace for their edification and comfort.
Beelzebub's castle /
Beelzebub's orchard
In BOOK 2 we also learn that between the Wicket Gate and the Interpreter's House, the pilgrim follows the wall called Salvation, which divides the Strait and Narrow from Beelzebub's estate. Along this wall is the Devil's Garden, which includes fruit trees that hang over the wall and tempt pilgrims to eat. One of Christina's sons did just that, but he was fine until they reached the palace Beautiful, where he took sick. With loving ministrations and hefty doses of medicine they were restored to health.
Scholars see these trees as an evil equivalent to the Tree of Life that is in the Celestial City as well as the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which was in the Garden of Eden.
Beelzebub is also identified as a founder and as the chief lord of Fair in the town of Vanity.
Isaiah 62:1-5 reads:
"FOR Zion's sake will I not hold my peace,
and for Jerusalem's sake
I will not rest,
until the righteousness thereof go
forth as brightness,
and the
salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
And the Gentiles
shall see thy righteousness,
and all kings thy glory:
and thou shalt be called by a new name,
which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD,
and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken;
neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate:
but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah,
and thy land Beulah:
for the LORD delighteth in thee,
and thy land shall be married.
For as a young man marrieth a virgin,
so shall thy sons marry thee:
and as
the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride,
so shall thy God rejoice over thee."
'Hephzi-bah' means 'to
be desired', and 'Beulah' means 'to be as a wife', 'to be protected and
loved as a wife'. These are the opposite condition of the 'foresaken' and
'desolate' first mentioned in that verse.
The image of Christ as the bridegroom and the Church as
the Bride is alive in this part of the book as the Country of Beulah is the
final resting place for the weary Pilgrim before crossing the River to the
Celestial City. Whereas the Pilgrim has spent their pilgrimage forsaken and
desolate, here they are desired, cared for, and their accomplishments
honored - as a bride is honored on her wedding day.
In BOOK 1,
Christian & Hopeful "solaced
themselves there for a season." The air was sweet and pleasant and the
sounds of birds was continual. None of the landmarks where their sorest
trial occurred could be seen. Shining Ones
walked the country continually as it was on the borders of Heaven. There
were orchards, vineyards, and gardens which the gardener kept open
for the refreshment of the Pilgrims. As they determine to continue on to the
Celestial City, two men (Shining
Ones) meet them and give them instructions. to cross the
River and climb Mount
Zion.
In BOOK 2,
Christiana's party enters this land and begin to
partake of the fruits of the orchards and gardens that are planted for that
purpose. They hear bells and trumpets that are so beautiful that they could
not sleep. Legions of Shining Ones visit the land and comfort pilgrims after
all the toil and sorrow they have been through. there is nothing in the land
that feels, tastes, or smells offensive to the stomach or mind. the water
from the River of Death tastes a bit bitter
but was sweet once it had been swallowed.
There is a book in this place in which is recorded the
names of previous pilgrims and the famous acts they have done. The ebb and
flow of the River are as much a topic of
discussion as the former pilgrims.
Children of this place go out into the gardens to
gather flowers and spices to make garlands for the pilgrims, and the
pilgrims' bodies are anointed to prepare them to cross the
River.
One by one Christiana and her
companions receive letters inviting them to cross the
River; Christiana
being the first to receive one. Her sons and daughter-in-laws are not called
across the River before the end of this
book, but we can assume they finished their life worthy of being called to
the Celestial City.
sister to Mercy; was sold in the market place by an ungrateful husband.
Mr. Brisk is "a man of some breeding, and that pretended to religion, but a man that stuck very close to the world." He tries to win Mercy as a wife but she refuses. He is impressed by her industry until he realizes it is all done as acts of charity - he then stops his pursuit, explaining that she "was a pretty lass, but troubled with ill conditions."
In BOOK 2, Christina feels a 'great load' when she realizes how poorly she treated her husband prior to his departure and added to that is the realization that she needs to make the same pilgrimage for the same reasons as her husband.
'By-' is actually a version of 'bye-', which means subsidiary, secondary; out of the way.
'By-' is actually a version of 'bye-', which means subsidiary, secondary; out of the way.
In BOOK 1, Christian and Hopeful eye a path on the other side of a fence with a stile (a place to step over or through a fence) that appears to parallel the Strait and Narrow, and that path appears to be very smooth and comfortable to the feet. Christian convinces Hopeful that there would be no harm in walking on the easier path, and soon they meet a man named Vain Confidence, who tells them that this easier path leads to the Celestial City. Night soon came, and our pilgrims became lost - while Vain Confidence, not being able to see the path in front of him, fell into a deep pit (set to catch vain-glorious fools) and was dashed to pieces. A terrible storm come sup in the night, and the two Pilgrims find shelter as best they can.
The next morning, the Giant Despair discovers them on his estate and he herds them to his Doubting Castle and locks them in the very dark dungeon, where they lay from Wednesday until Saturday night without food or drink. The giant tell his wife Diffidence about his prisoners, and she counsels him to beat them the next day. The following day, again by his wife's counsel, he offers them three ways to suicide and end their misery. Christian is tempted, but Hopeful exclaims that "he that kills another can but commit murder upon his body; but for one to kill himself is to bill Body and Soul at once." The next day they are taken out into the courtyard to see the bones of the former prisoners. Finally, on Saturday night, the two Pilgrims begin to pray, and they pray until daybreak (making their stay in Doubting Castle a simile of Christ's time in the tomb between His death and resurrection.)
Near the "morning of the first day of the week" (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20) Christian realizes that a key called Promise held against his chest (obviously on a chain) might open any lock - we are not told in the book how or when he obtains this key, but one movie version has the Three Shining Ones present it to him along with the new clothes they give him at the place of Deliverance. The key does in fact open any lock in the castle, and the two Pilgrims escape, returning to the Strait and Narrow and there erecting a monument (a sign; a marker) to warn other Pilgrims of the dangers of By-path Meadow - and this marker saved many Pilgrims who came after, including Christiana and her party.
In BOOK 2, Christiana and her party pause at the sight of the marker left by her husband, warning Pilgrims of the dangers of By-path Meadow and of Doubting Castle. Great-Heart determines to storm the castle, set any Pilgrims free, and destroy the place. Christiana's four sons accompany him. They kill Despair and his wife Diffidence and were seven days in demolishing Doubting Castle, discovering Mr. Despondency and his daughter Much-Afraid and taking them into their protection. The Pilgrims then play music and dance to celebrate the downfall of the castle and its owner. Before leaving, they raise Despair's head on a pike and place a stone tablet with a verse to commemorate the event.
In BOOK 1, in the Country of Beulah, Christian and Hopeful see that its walls are built from pearls and precious stones and its streets are paved with gold and shine in the sun so brightly that they are sick for longing to be there. They cross the River and ascend Mount Zion to reach the gate to the city. They are told that the city is the Paradise of God and that they will see the Tree of Life and eat of its never-failing fruits. They will wear never-fading robes of white and walk daily with the King all the days of Eternity, and all the bad, sad, sorrowful things of their life before will not be seen again. They are told of prophets and patriarchs they will associate with, and then their service with the King is described. They will see the Holy One as He is and serve with Him as well. They will be reunited with friends who reached the city before them. They will be clothed and equipped to ride out with the King in the final days of the earth.
See Faith/Hope/Charity; Works (Actions).
1.
One of the servants in the palace Beautiful.
2. Those acts of kindness and service carried out by pilgrims which show their love
for God and for their fellow beings.
The word 'Charity' is falling out of favor with many pilgrims because of
how it is used by civil authorities who dole out free handouts to all who
will take them. Many are instead simply using the world 'Love'. Let's turn
to both the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon to see how they define Charity:
-- a pure love, excels and
exceeds almost all else; the most important attribute a Christian can
develop; all else pales if one does not have Charity (1 Corinthians 13)
-- "the
pure love of Christ" (Moroni 7:47, Book of Mormon)
-- the love that Christ has for the children of men and that the children
of men should have for one another (2 Nephi 26:30; 33:7–9; Ether 12:33–34,
Book of Mormon)
We also learn that -
-- knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies (1 Corinthians 8:1)
-- the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart (1 Timothy
1:5)
-- add to brotherly kindness charity (2 Peter 1:7)
-- the Lord has commanded that all men should have charity (2 Nephi 26:30;
Moroni 7:44–47, Book of Mormon)
-- see that ye have faith, hope, and charity (Alma 7:24, Book of Mormon)
-- the love that the Lord has for all men and women is 'charity' (Ether 12:33–34, Book of
Mormon)
-- Without charity men cannot inherit that place prepared in the Father's
mansions (Ether 12:34, Moroni 10:20–21, Book of Mormon)
the greeting with which Mr. Honest greeted each member of Christina's group when meeting them in the wilderness.
CHRISTIANA'S PARTY: When Christiana first sets out from the city of Destruction, her traveling party includes herself, her four sons James, Joseph, Samuel, Matthew, and the maid Mercy. It eventually swells to include their guide and protector Mr. Great-Heart as well as Mr. Honest, Mr. Feeble-Mind, and Mr. Ready-to-Halt.
Phebe joins the traveling party when she weds James at her father Gaius' Inn. (Earlier, Mercy had wed Matthew in this place.) Grace and Martha marry Samuel and Joseph in their father Mr. Mnason's home in Vanity and become part of the congregation. All four of the young wives bare children, further adding to the congregation.
At By-path Meadow, Mr. Despondency and his daughter Much-Afraid are rescued from Doubting Castle and join the party.
In the land between the Delectable Mountains and the Land of Beulah, Valiant-for-Truth and Steadfast join the group.
Scholars agree that while BOOK 1 is the story of an individual traversing his way through a good Christian life, BOOK 2 reflects the journey of a congregation, complete with a conductor (minister) guiding, counseling, and protecting them.
It also appears sexist to the modern reader that the protectors are all men. Such was the case in Bunyan's day - he wrote with the sensibilities of his time and place, and we should read it accordingly.
Great-Heart is that conductor who conducts Mercy, Christina, and her four boys from the Interpreter's House to the palace Beautiful and then on to the Celestial City.
Great-Heart recites the time he accompanied Mr. Fearing on his pilgrimage, thus illustrating the fact that a man who seeks a conductor is also freely given one.
Great-Grace is referred to as the King's Champion, which surely makes him a conductor.
In Pilgrim's Progress it is at the Place of Deliverance that Christian sees the Cross and the great burden falls from his shoulders as he realizes what the Savior had done for him. This is essentially when he is sufficiently converted to the Lord that his budding Faith has justified the effects of the Savior's Grace in his life.
Some Christian churches do not use the Cross as their religious symbol - this does not mean they aren't Christian; it means they simply don't use a Roman torture device as a symbol of their faith. Also, some choose to emphasize the truth that the Savior's mission was not completed on the cross; it was completed as He died and then rose a resurrected Being, thus paving the way for us to also rise from the dead as an eternal, glorified being. As trying to raise the symbol of an Empty Tomb on a church spire would be as foolish as trying to picture it, they opt for a simple spire without symbols atop them.
In BOOK 2 we learn that these two by-roads were once stopped up with chains, posts, and even a ditch, but there were pilgrims so determined to try these paths that these guards could not hold them back.
In BOOK 1, Between the Delectable
Mountains and the Inchanted Ground,
Christian and Hopeful
recount the story of Little-Faith: While going on pilgrimage and traveling
this lane, there came down from the Broad-Way Gate three rogues -
Faint-Heart, Mistrust, and Guilt, who robbed Little-faith of all his money.
Hearing someone else on the road the rogues fled, suspecting it might be
Great-Grace form the town of Good-Confidence. Little-Faith was greatly
hampered in his pilgrimage by the loss of his spending money, but he
retained his jewels (faith and other spiritual gifts) as we as his parchment
certificate which would admit him into the Celestial City. A lengthy
discourse occurs between Christian and
Hopeful, comparing Little-Faith to the biblical Esau.
In BOOK 2,
Christiana and her party encounter
Valiant-for-Truth in this place. He was recovering from an encounter
with three men called Wild-head, Inconsiderate, and
Pragmatick, who had first 'propounding' (to
offer for discussion or consideration) whether
they should let Valiant-for-Truth pass, force him to join them, for
force him to turn back. This discussion was followed by a battle that lasted
some three hours, only breaking up as Christiana's party approached.
Great-heart and Valiant-for-Truth discuss,
and he party discovers he is from Dark-Land, which
is on the same coast as the City of Destruction;
his parents still reside there. He was compelled to become a pilgrim by the
preaching of Mr. Tell-True, who came there
spreading the word concerning Christian and his
successful pilgrimage. He is thrilled to meet Christiana and to know she is
on her way to join her husband. Valiant-for-Truth joins the party and
continues on with them while he and Great-Heart discuss and length the
trials valiant-for-Truth had just getting started on his pilgrimage as his
parents were very set against it and told him about all the difficulties and
trials pilgrims before him had faced.
This has nothing to do with the actual Dead Sea in the Holy Land; he is referring to a Sea of Death. See Hell.
These mountains are a beautiful country of woods, vineyards, fruits of
all sorts, flowers, springs, and fountains... and Shepherds.
In BOOK 1, Christian first sees the mountains from a balcony
of the palace called Beautiful, which is on the top of the hill
Difficulty.
He feels the beauty of them from so afar off, and desires to make it to
their slopes. But it is not until after he has left
By-path Meadow and
Doubting Castle that he and Hopeful finally reach
the place. Christian and Hopeful
meet the shepherds Knowledge, Experience, Watchful, and
Sincere and ask them concerning this place. They tell them that this
is part of Emmanuel's Land and "they are within sight of his city; and
the sheep also are his, and he laid down his life for them." They tell
the two Pilgrims that they have been charged to not to be forgetful in
entertaining strangers, and after questioning them and perceiving they are
honest Pilgrims, invite them to their tents to rest and be fed. The next day
the Shepherds show them several wonders (signs):
-- the Hill Error: very steep on the far side, they look down on
the bodies of those who have fallen in their faith and understanding of a
bodily resurrection, and their bodies have been left there as a warning to
others.
-- the Hill Caution: there they see men who have been blinded
walking about tombs, not able to get away from them. These are men who have
been blinded by the giant Despair and left to wander, "that the saying of
the wise man might be fulfilled, “He that wandereth out of the way of
understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.” Prov.
21:16. The two Pilgrims tremble greatly, understanding the grace of God in
their escaping this fate.
-- By-way to Hell: a valley ("bottom") where there is a door in the
side of the hill. this is a place where hypocrites are drawn slowly and
comfortable down to Hell - those who sell their birthrights through carnal
needs, blaspheme, through lying, and other sins. When the two Pilgrims
ponder how to avoid this place, one exclaims:
"We had need to cry to the Strong for strength."
-- the Hill Clear: As the two Pilgrims voiced the need to continue
on, they were led to the top of this hill and given a Perspective-Glass to
view the gates of the
Celestial City.
"When they were about to depart, one of the shepherds
gave them a note of the way. Another of them bid them
beware of the Flatterer. The third bid them
take heed that they slept not upon
Inchanted Ground. And the fourth bid them God speed."
In BOOK 2, however,
Christiana and her party were not taken to
shepherds tents but were invited into a palace when the Shepherds saw the
size of the congregation - including those with "special needs" - the
'feeble'. (Today 'feeble' means weak - as in
'stupid', but historically it meant 'fragile'; 'frail'; 'sickly'.) Each was
served and cared for according to their needs - as
the Shepherds explained, "all things must be
managed here to the supporting of the weak, as well as to the warning of the
unruly."
The next day the Shepherds took them out into the
fields and showed them everything they had showed showed
Christian and Hopeful
and then showed them more:
-- Mount Marvel: here they "beheld
a man at a distance that tumbled the hills about with words. Then they asked
the shepherds what that should mean. So they told them, that that man was
the son of one Mr. Great-grace, of whom you read in the first part of
the records of the Pilgrim’s Progress; and he is set there to teach pilgrims
how to believe down, or to tumble out of their ways, what difficulties they
should meet with, by faith. Mark 11:23,24. Then said Mr. Great-Heart, I know
him; he is a man above many."
-- Mount Innocent: "And there they saw a man clothed all in
white; and two men, Prejudice and Ill-will, continually
casting dirt upon him. Now behold, the dirt, whatsoever they cast at him,
would in a little time fall off again, and his garment would look as clear
as if no dirt had been cast thereat. Then said the pilgrims, What means
this? The shepherds answered, This man is named Godlyman, and this
garment is to show the innocency of his life. Now, those that throw dirt at
him are such as hate his well-doing; but, as you see the dirt will not stick
upon his clothes, so it shall be with him that liveth innocently in the
world. Whoever they be that would make such men dirty, they labor all in
vain; for God, by that a little time is spent, will cause that their
innocence shall break forth as the light, and their righteousness as the
noonday."
-- Mount Charity: Here the pilgrims saw "a man that had a
bundle of cloth lying before him, out of which he cut coats and garments
for the poor that stood about him; yet his bundle or roll of cloth was never
the less. Then said they, What should this be? This is, said the shepherds,
to show you, that he who has a heart to give of his labor to the poor, shall
never want wherewithal. He that watereth shall be watered himself. And the
cake that the widow gave to the prophet did not cause that she had the less
in her barrel."
-- "the place where they saw one Fool and one Want-wit
washing an Ethiopian, with intention to make him white; but the more they
washed him, the blacker he was. Then they asked the shepherds what that
should mean. So they told them, saying, Thus it is with the vile person; all
means used to get such a one a good name, shall in conclusion tend but to
make him more abominable. Thus it was with the pharisees; and so it shall be
with all hypocrites." Note must be made that this isn't a racial remark.
Ethiopians were first Jewish in faith and then Christian - they would have
been a familiar character for Bunyan's reader. When he is conveying is that
one cannot wash one's sins away simply by scrubbing - trying to hide them by
removing them "man's way"; one must do it God's way by facing them,
confessing, and repenting.
After this, Mercy asked to go back
to the By-way to Hell as she wanted to look in and listen. She was
granted this wish and was moved by the experience.
back at the palace, Mercy is so taken by a
Looking-Glass (the word of God) and feels she shall loose the child she
is carrying should she not obtain it. Christiana
speaks to the Shepherds on her daughter-in-law's behalf. Not only did they
grant this desire, but they gave presents to all the congregation as they
made to continue their journey.
"He hath given me rest by his Sorrow,
and
Life by his Death."
Three Shining Ones
then appeared and give him gifts for his pilgrimage.
In BOOK 2,
Christina and her party pause at this place
and bless God. They then discourse on the importance of
deeds and on being
Justified by Christ. Although not said, I suspect there were burdens
lightened.
1) biblically, he was a companion of Paul's who
forsook the ministry for the things of the world (2 Timothy 4:10)
2) In PILGRIMS PROGRESS he is the one standing on the
Hill
Lucre, tempting Pilgrims to come view the silver mine that is in that hill.
Although he claims to be a son of Abraham, Christian calls him Gehazi,
the name of Elisha' servant to asked money of Namaan (2 Kings 5:22) after
Elisha had turned down payment for curing him - as a curse, Namaan's leprosy
was put upon Gehazi as a punishment ofr his desire for money.
In BOOK 2, Christina and her companions put the steps to good use to pull themselves out of the mire and continue their journey to the Gate. We learn that at this point of the journey there are laborers who pretend to work for the King in mending His highway but actually bring dirt and dung instead of stones.
The city in which Book 1 & 2 both begin.
In Book 1 it is
the place in which Christian was born; it is
here that he begins to read the Book and receives revelations that the city will be destroyed. Having
turned his heart to the King of Mount Zion, he leaves in search of
Zion.
In Book 2 his wife Christiana and their three sons
also leave this place to follow the same pilgrimage.
Apollyon claims to be the
Prince and God of the city.
In BOOK 1,
once Christian
got past the temptation of the paths
Danger and Destruction, he drinks from the spring at the base of
the hill before starting the climb. Part way up the hill there is an
Arbour built by the Lord of the Hill, where
Christian fell asleep, loosing his roll.
Once he resumes his climb he meets Timorous
(fearful) and Mistrust (untrusting), who, frightened by the lions
at the top of the hill, are rushing back down the hill. Before meeting the
lions himself, Christian realizes he lost
his roll and goes back for it, loosing many
hours of hard labor but knew he must do so to finally enter the
Celestial City - he exclaims that once he trod
the path with Delight, but now it is with Sorrow.
At the top of the hill, Christian
sees a stately palace called Beautiful. To
get to it, he must pass though a narrow passage to stand in front of
the Porter's lodge (formal gatehouse to the estate). There he is
confronted by two lions which he does not know are chained so as to
not be able to hurt a pilgrim who is still on the
path. Once this is accomplished he is
able to enter the palace Beautiful.
It is at the foot of this hill that
Faithful meets Adam the First and escapes
from his plans. Part way of this hill he runs into
Moses, who spares none and shows no mercy.
In BOOK 2, Christina's party
finds the spring from which her husband refreshed himself is now a muddy
pool, having been trampled by those who don't want others to find
refreshment there (those who 'muddy' the pureness and plainness of the
Gospel so others can't find refreshment through it). They pause for a rest at the Prince's Arbour. They
find a plaque where Christian encountered Timorous and Mistrust,
warning pilgrims to not be afraid to continue. At the sight and sound of
the Lions, Christina and her party are
afraid, especially because Grim (Bloody-Man) is now backing
the Lions, making it all the scarier. Great-heart beats him back with his
sword, and the party soon finds themselves a the door to the Porter's
Lodge and then to the palace Beautiful.
The pit, we can assume, means Hell.
This town is "a wealthy place", and the have certain traditions which differ them from other, stricter societies: "First, we never strive against wind and tide. Secondly, we are always most zealous when Religion goes in his silver slippers; we love much to walk with him in the street, if the sun shines and the people applaud him." Christian explained to By-ends that if he wanted to travel with him and Hopeful he would have to "go against wind and tide; the which, I perceive, is against your opinion: you must also own Religion in his rags, as well as when in his silver slippers; and stand by him, too, when bound in irons, as well as when he walketh the streets with applause." By-ends naturally refuses to do such a thing, and the two pilgrims remove themselves from his company. The last we see of him and his companions from the County of Coveting is when they turn aside to view the pit near the silver mine in Hill Lucre.
FAITH IS HOPE & ASSURANCE: "...faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, King James Version) Paul’s definition takes on added meaning through the works of other translators: "To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see." (Good News Bible); "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (New International Version); "AND WHAT IS FAITH? Faith gives substance to our hopes, and makes us certain of realities we do not see." (New English Bible); "Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of the realities that at present remain unseen." (The Jerusalem Bible)
The Book of Mormon teaches: "...faith is things which are hoped for and not seen..." (Ether 12:6); "...faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." (Alma 32:21)
FAITH IS ACTION: Hebrews chapter 11 illustrates the concept that when one has Faith, one acts upon it so that it becomes a driving force in the life of a pilgrim - faith enables and empowers them to act upon their faith and do those things the Lord has called them to do. Without this action being taken, the 'assurance' aspect of faith has been a waste of time and effort.
FAITH IS POWER: "...faith is not only a principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven or on earth. Thus says the author of the epistle to the Hebrews (11:3):
"‘Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.’
"By this we understand that the principle of power which existed in the bosom of God, by which the worlds were framed, was faith; and that it is by reason of the principle of power existing in the Deity, that all created things exist; so that all things in heaven, on earth, or under earth, exist by reason of faith as it existed in HIM.
"Had it not been for the principle of faith the worlds would never have been framed, neither would man have been formed of the dust. It is the principle by which Jehovah works, and through which he exercises power over all temporal as well as eternal things. Take this principle or attribute - for it is an attribute - from the Deity, and he would cease to exist.
"Who cannot see, that if God framed the worlds by faith, that it is by faith that he exercises power over them, and that faith is the principle of power? And if the principle of power, it must be so in man as well as in the Deity? This is the testimony of all the sacred writers, and the lesson which they have been endeavoring to teach to man.
"The Saviour says (Matthew 17:19-20), in explaining the reason why the disciples could not cast out the devil, that it was because of their unbelief: ‘For verily I say unto you,’ said he, ‘If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.’” (Joseph Smith, LECTURES ON FAITH (Salt Lake City: Deseret Books, 1985) pg. 3-4)
Most Christian churches argue over which single principle will save us, when in reality it takes a harmonious blend of all three to start, flesh out, and complete our salvation and eternal life. I once wrote an entire book on the subject of Faith, Grace, & Works; enjoy; it is in .pdf format so you can read it from your e-reader.
I appreciate the following quote:
"We represent Christ by accepting His doctrine. When we are in favor of the doctrine of Christ we manifest our faith by our works, and consequently are saved by grace and are justified by faith, because we manifest our faith by our works. There is the key.
"I pray God our eternal Father that we may have grace to overcome temptation, obey His commandments and in the end be saved in His kingdom through Jesus Christ." (Elder George Teasdale, LDS Conference Report, April 1899; underlining by this author)
The key phrases in this quote are: "saved by grace"... "justified (in receiving the effects of grace) by faith" ... "manifest our faith by our works".
Faith wakes in the pilgrim a Hope that the Strait and Narrow path they are on is the correct one. They act upon that hope by continuing upon the path and assisting all they meet.
He preaches and proselytes in Vanity and his martyred there. Hopeful is the only named person who become a pilgrim because of Faithful's proselyting in the city of Vanity.
The Hebrew transition in the Old Testament for 'fatness' in this regard is (figuratively) a rich dish, a fertile field, a robust man ... things full of life, strength, virility, and that give joy and delight...Things that build you up, strengthen you, and delight you.
There is an old hymn by W. W. Phelps that tells us there is a feast of fat things being prepared for the Righteous - the great Feast of the Bridegroom, as it is called in the New Testament. It sounds somewhat funny to today's ear, but it carries a very good message.
Additionally, the Book of Mormon admonishes us to "not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy... come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness" (2 Nephi 9:51), meaning to feast upon and delight in all the life-giving, strengthening, delightful, and joyful things Christ has prepared for us.
In BOOK 2, Bunyan showed incredible tact and consideration to the women of the church in not sending the women to a feast of 'fat things'; it is my personal opinion that the Garden of the Bath at Interpreter's House may serve the same purpose in refreshing, strengthening, and delighting the female pilgrim. What a Gentleman!
See Hope
and Fear. A pilgrim from the town of Stupidity, which lies "four
degrees northward of the city of Destruction".
Here is my favorite character in both books! I even wrote
an article about
him. He is a pilgrim whom Great-heart had guided
and protected on his long pilgrimage. He feared everything, but, as
Great-heart related four times in his
telling of the story, "Still he would not go back." No matter how
afraid he was. Mr. Fearing kept to the
Strait and Narrow Path and refused to give up.
Eventually Great-heart
related that Mr. Fearing's real fear was that of not being accepted by the
Lord
Great-heart noted that Mr.
Fearing's trials on his pilgrimage were different than for many other
pilgrims. While traversing the
Valley of the Shadow of Death, for instance, he relates that
“...I took very great notice of, that this valley was as quiet when we
went through it, as ever I knew it before or since. I suppose those
enemies here had now a special check from our Lord, and a command not to
meddle until Mr. Fearing had passed over it.” Because Mr. Fearing
already has so many enemies (fears) in his own mind, he was not to be
tempted with those he may not have been able to bear, fulfilling the
biblical teaching in 1 Corinthians
10:13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:
but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be
able to bear it."
Any reader of Bunyan's works should read carefully
Great-heart's account of Mr. Fearing and the
ensuing discussion of Hope and Fear - and
Grace.
Mr. Feeble-Mind was "a sickly man" from the town of Uncertain, where he and his father were both born. "Because death did usually once a day knock at my door, I thought I should never be well at home; so I betook myself to a pilgrim’s life, and have traveled hither..." He found great comfort at the house of the Interpreter, and he received aide in climbing the Hill Difficulty as well as great comfort at the palace Beautiful. In describing himself to Great-Heart, he said: "Robbed I looked to be, and robbed to be sure I am; but I have, as you see, escaped with life, for the which I thank my King as the author, and you as the means. Other brunts I also look for; but this I have resolved on, to wit, to run when I can, to go when I cannot run, and to creep when I cannot go. As to the main, I thank him that loved me, I am fixed; my way is before me, my mind is beyond the river that has no bridge, though I am, as you see, but of a feeble mind."
Great-Heart asks him if he knew Mr. Fearing, and we find out that he is the older man's nephew and of much the same temper and personality.
Christina's party bids Feeble-Mind to join them as they leave Gaius' Inn, but he is reluctant as he feels he would slow them down and be a burden to them. But as he was declining the offer, along came Mr. Ready-to-Halt, upon his crutches, who joins them - so Feeble-Mind joins them as well.
A true Shining One comes upon them, and after a stern lecture they are told that their false guide was Flatterer, a false apostle who transforms himself into an Angel of Light. They are released from the net and set back on the path for Zion.
We later discover that there is more than one Flatterer - Christian and Hopeful use the term when referring to anyone who would cause them to stray from the Strait and Narrow.
As Christian passes by Simple, Sloth, Presumption, he then encounters Formalist and Hypocrite from the land of Vain Glory climbing over the wall called Salvation to enter the Strait and Narrow at that point instead of entering in at the Wicket Gate, as commanded by the King of the Celestial City. Christian tried in vain to encourage them to go to the gate and enter in the right way, exclaiming that to enter in their fashion makes them thieves and robbers. They assure him that the King will excuse them because pilgrims from their land have always done it in such a manner; they are simply acting by custom for over a thousand years - hence there is a legal precedence though which the King will have to let them enter. They also claim that it doesn't matter how one gets on to the path as long as one gets on it. Christian points out that they do not have coats as given along the path which marks them as a pilgrim; neither do they have the mark on their forehead or a roll that will admit them into the City.
Shortly after Christian gives up, the three of them come to Hill Difficulty. Instead of staying on the path, these two take the paths Danger and Destruction, and this is the last he sees of these two, although he does hear their death screams.
Gaius' Inn
In BOOK 2 Christiana and her party stop at Gaius' Inn, which in the wilderness between the Valley of the Shadow of Death and the town of Vanity. Gaius send to the cook, Taste-that-which-is-good, to make a meal for the new arrivals out of what was already in the house (it was late at night). Referring to Christina, he asked who this "aged matron" is; the first indication of the length of time it takes for one's pilgrimage. When he finds out she is the wife of Christian, he rejoices, and he review other great pilgrims of the same lineage: Stephen, James, Paul, Peter, Ignatius, Romanus, Polycarp, and others. He mentions Christian's stock as having come from Antioch, which according to the New Testament is the first place Christ's followers were called Christians (Acts 11:26). He suggests that Mercy and Matthew should marry, which they eventually do. He also discourses on the topic of Women and the good works done by many. Supper is finally served, each course taking on a spiritual significance, several of which are commented on by Matthew, who is answered by Gaius. A riddle is told, which Joseph comments on. Shortly afterwards, Samuel whispers to his mother that they should stay here a while. (We are told that they stay a month at the Inn, during which time Mercy and Matthew wed. While there, Mercy, as was her custom, made cloths for the poor.) After this initial supper they four boys all go to bed, but Christiana, Mercy, Mr. Honest, and Great Heart all stay up and socialize with Gaius, telling more riddles and discussing the doctrine involved - most important of all the topic of Grace.
The next morning James is bid to read Isaiah 53 and it is discussed. Following this they walk out into the fields, to where a giant named Slay-good annoys pilgrims along he King's Highway. They find the giant with Feeble-Mind in his hand, his servants having brought him to him. great-Heart does him battle and cuts off his head, bringing Feeble-Mind back to the Inn.
Someone arrives, having found Mr. Not-Right dead along the Path.
It is right about this time that Mercy and Matthew wed, and Gaius gives his daughter Phebe to James to wed. They spend ten more days at the inn before departing, but only after a great feast. They try to pay Gaius for their stay and he refuses, saying that he receives his pay from the Good Samaritan.
Christina's party bids Feeble-Mind to join them, but he is reluctant as he feels he would slow them down and be a burden to them. But as he was declining the offer, along came Mr. Ready-to-Halt, upon his crutches, who joins them - so Feeble-Mind joins them as well.
1. the Wicket Gate, which the pilgrim must enter to begin their pilgrimage along the Strait and Narrow Path
2. the gatehouse (Porter's Lodge) to the house called Beautiful, guarded by two lions that are, unknown to the pilgrim, chained so they cannot enter the path - they are a test of the pilgrim's faith and courage.
3. The Golden Gate to the Celestial City, which is the final goal and destination of the pilgrim. It is also called the 'further Gate' as it is the further from the beginning of the journey.
referred to in several ways:
-- 'Owner of the place', referring to the city to which pilgrims travel
-- Sovereign
-- Merciful One
-- King / King of the Country (Mount Zion)
-- Judge of All ... if Christ is going to stand as Mediator between us and
the Judge, then God has to be that Judge.
See Faith/Grace/Works.
Mr. Honest's final
words before crossing the River to
Mount Zion were: "GRACE REIGNS"
(1) daughter of Mr. Mnason of
Vanity. She is sent to fetch
company when Christiana and her party take
lodging in their home. She marries Christiana's
son Samuel.
(2) 'Grace' is a word defined twelve different ways by twelve different
Christians. In many passages in the New Testament "the law" and "grace"
are compared - it is actually the 'Law
of Moses' and the 'Gospel of Christ' being talked about, the word
'grace' symbolizing the whole of Christian teachings, commandments,
and rewards. Other places in the New Testament the 'grace of Christ'
is the topic, meaning His atonement and atoning sacrifice. Other
places talk about the 'divine love' Christ shows to those who accept Him
and follow and obey Him.
I find the following definition to be the
best I have found for the word 'Grace', and it comes from a church
many think don't believe in the concept of Grace: "God's grace consists in his love, mercy, and
condescension toward his children. The creation of the
earth, life itself, the atonement of Christ, the plan of
salvation, kingdoms of immortal glory hereafter, and the
supreme gift of eternal life - all these things come by
the grace of him whose we are." (Bruce R. McConkie, MORMON DOCTRINE (Salt
Lake City: Bookcraft Inc., 1966) pg. 338-339)
Many Christians argue over whether the pilgrim is saved
by Grace alone, by Faith alone, or by Works alone. I submit that it
take a balance of all three working in their proper place and order, as
illustrated by the Apostle Paul:
"Therefore ye are
justified of faith and works, through grace, to the end
the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to them
only who are of the law, but to them also who are of the
faith of Abraham; who is that father of us all."
(Romans 4:16, Inspired Version)
This is what Grace is:
Being imperfect human beings, we are not able to obtain perfection in this mortal life. We will forget, we will omit;
we will disobey. We will have trials and sorrows. And yet to return to
the presence of God we must have been perfected. The atonement of
Christ is that Jesus suffered, or, 'paid the price' for our
forgetting, omiting, disobeying... our sorrows and pains - so that He
can 'cover for us' when we stand at the Final Judgment to be weighed
and measured. If we accept His Gospel, accept Him as our Savior and
Redeemer (Faith), and then live our lives according to His Gospel
('works' or 'actions'), He will mediate between us and God on the
judgment day, claiming us as His own - even as our actions in
mortality have shown that we claim Him as our own. Thus His atoning
sacrifice relives us of the burden of sin,
sorrow, and inadequacy we carry due to our mortality.
I think Bunyan would agree with the late President Ezra Taft Benson, who spoke on the relationship between Grace and Works
(actions):
"As a Church, we are in accord with Nephi, who said,
"it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (2 Nephi 25:23,
Book of Mormon)
"By grace the Savior accomplished His atoning
sacrifice so that all mankind will attain immortality. By
His grace, and by our faith in His atonement and
repentance of our sins, we receive the strength to do the
works necessary that we otherwise could not do by our own
power. By His grace we receive an endowment of blessing
and spiritual strength that may eventually lead us to
eternal life if we endure to the end. By His grace we
become more like His divine personality. Yes, it is
"by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."
(2 Nephi 25:23)
"What is meant by 'after all we can do'? 'After all
we can do' includes extending our best effort. 'After all
we can do' includes living His commandments. 'After all
we can do' includes loving our fellowmen and praying for
those who regard us as their adversary. 'After all we can
do' means clothing the naked, feeding the hungry,
visiting the sick and giving 'succor to those who stand
in need of our succor' (Mosiah 4:15) - remembering that
what we do unto one of the least of God's children, we do
unto Him. (See Matthew 25:34-40; D&C 42:38)
"'After all we can do' means leading chaste, clean,
pure lives, being scrupulously honest in all our dealings
and treating others the way we would want to be treated."
(Ezra Taft Benson, "After All We Can Do",
Christmas Devotional, Salt Lake City, Utah, Dec. 9, 1982)
(2) a town near Vanity; see Temporary.
While in the valley of the Shadow of Death, he identifies himself as "a servant of the God of Heaven".
(1) See the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
(2) See Enchanted Ground.
also referred to as a burning lake; a bottomless pit; a dead sea - it is the final place of eternal punishment for those pilgrims who are unwilling to remain on the Strait and Narrow while following the commandments of God in all things.
CHRISTINA: "... Indeed, it had been well for us had we asked our Lord for one; but since our Lord knew it would be for our profit, I wonder he sent not one along with us."
RELIEVER. "It is not always necessary to grant things not asked for, lest by so doing they become of little esteem; but when the want of a thing is felt, it then comes under, in the eyes of him that feels it, that estimate that properly is its due, and so consequently will be thereafter used. Had my Lord granted you a conductor, you would not either so have bewailed that oversight of yours, in not asking for one, as now you have occasion to do."
The Great King makes us ask for help to ensure that we will treasure the given help; otherwise it would not be a thing of worth and we would get to the point that we would not esteem it of any worth.
When at the Interpreter's House, Christina does ask for help in getting to Beautiful, which is given her in the form of Great-Heart. Upon arriving at Beautiful, Christina wishes that Great-Heart could accompany them further, and he explains that if she had asked that it would have been granted. Eventually he is given leave to do just that, but only after a lesson being taught on asking.
Most dictionary definitions vary somewhat, but essentially it is a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings.
The Bible calls Hope "an anchor for the soul." (Hebrews 6:19) It holds pilgrim to their determination to complete their pilgrimage, assured of the waiting reward. It gives them the courage to face the trials and hardships of the pilgrimage, knowing that the reward is worth it.
In BOOK 1 we learn that Hope and Fear are not contradictory since both of them involve both an anticipation of the world to come and a lack of contentment for this world. While walking across the Inchanted Ground, Christian and Hopeful discuss this very topic, and it's still the best I've read anywhere:
"HOPEFUL. I do believe, as you say, that fear tends much to men’s good, and to make them right at their beginning to go on pilgrimage.
"CHRISTIAN. Without all doubt it doth, if it be right; for so says the word, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 9:10.
"HOPEFUL. How will you describe right fear?
"CHRISTIAN. True or right fear is discovered by three things.
1. By its rise; it is caused by saving convictions for sin.
2. It driveth the soul to lay fast hold of Christ for salvation.
3. It begetteth and continueth in the soul a great reverence of God, his word, and ways; keeping it tender, and making it afraid to turn from them, to the right hand or to the left, to any thing that may dishonor God, break its peace, grieve the Spirit, or cause the enemy to speak reproachfully." (underlining by this author)
In BOOK 2, after having the story of Mr. Fearing related to them by Great-heart, Christina and members of her party had the following to say about Fear, Hope, and Grace:
CHRISTIANA: "This relation of Mr. Fearing has done me good; I thought nobody had been like me. But I see there was some semblance betwixt this good man and me: only we differed in two things. His troubles were so great that they broke out; but mine I kept within. His also lay so hard upon him, they made him that he could not knock at the houses provided for entertainment; but my trouble was always such as made me knock the louder."
MERCY: "If I might also speak my heart, I must say that something of him has also dwelt in me. For I have ever been more afraid of the lake, and the loss of a place in paradise, than I have been of the loss other things. O, thought I, may I have the happiness to have a habitation there! ‘Tis enough, though I part with all the world to win it."
MATTHEW: "Fear was one thing that made me think that I was far from having that within me which accompanies salvation. But if it was so with such a good man as he, why may it not also go well with me?"
JAMES: "No fears no grace... Though there is not always grace where there is the fear of hell, yet, to be sure, there is no grace where there is no fear of God."
GREAT-HEART: "Well said, James; thou hast hit the mark. For the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; and to be sure, they that want the beginning have neither middle nor end."
In BOOK 1, Servants from the palace Beautiful accompanied Christian to the base of back side of the hill Difficulty, where he entered this valley, thus helping to make sure he didn't slip and fall on his way - a grand essay on what all pilgrims should be doing for each other. Before he had gone far, a foul fiend named Apollyon stood, straddling the Path (as he could not set foot on it), barring Christian's progress. Apollyon fails to reclaim the pilgrim, and a battle ensued that last for most of the day. Apollyon departed when he became too wounded to continue, and, to revive Christian, a Hand came, carrying some of the leaves of the Tree of Life which was applied to his wounds to heal him. Thus he made his was to the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
Faithful was here tempted by Discontent to go back, and he met Shame (who causes shame in others). He withstood both and continued on.
In BOOK 2, Great-heart leads Christina and her group down into the valley. They find it to be beautifully green and filled with lilies. They find a humbly-dressed shepherd boy whom Great-heart suspects wears the herb Heart's-ease (also called Johnny Jump-up). He tells the party that the Lord (of the Hill, undoubtedly) used to have his country house in this valley and loved to walk the meadows and breathe the pleasant air. He also tells them that this is a valley no one walks in but for those who love a pilgrim's life, and although Christian had met with evil here, formerly pilgrims met with Angels in this valley, have found Pearls ('pearl of great price' that one does not cast before swine?), and have found Words of Life. He pointed out the Forgetful Glen as they passed by; a place where some pilgrims forget what favors (grace) they have received - as well as being a place where others hard put to (severely tested). he also spoke of the quality of the rain and water, which the King gives to the vineyards of the valley.
The small party then examines the place where Christian battled Apollyon before leaving the valley and entering the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
'Hypocrite' comes from the Greek for 'actor'. One scholar wrote that there were three types of hypocrites in the time period in which Pilgrim's Progress was written:
-- the 'privie' hypocrite, who only fools himself;
-- the 'grosse' hypocrite, who fools others;
-- the 'formal' hypocrite, who fools himself and others.
Upon reaching the river before the Celestial City, Ignorance had himself ferried across by Vain-Hope. He was not admitted into the city as he had no parchment certificate - two angels were sent out to bind him - "Then they took him up, and carried him through the air to the door that I saw in the side of the hill, [By-way to Hell] and put him in there. Then I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gate of heaven, as well as from the City of Destruction."
(2) Between the Wicket Gate and the Interpreter's House, two Ill-favored Ones bar Christina and Mercy's way with the intention of "making a Woman" (sexual assault) out of them. As help arrives, the two assaulters jump over the Wall of Salvation into Beelzebub's estate to escape. Christina feels she should have foreseen this event because of the dream prior to beginning her pilgrimage; she intimates that they be one in the same.
(3) See also Flatterer.
Christian & Hopeful meet up with Ignorance again. A discourse ensues in which we find that Ignorance likes to travel alone - meaning that his thoughts and heart are all he thinks he needs to guide him and to justify himself in the coming Eternal judgment; no need to follow 'outward' commands. His false faith and hope are discussed. Once they part with him (again), the they discuss the good and right use of Fear and why the ignorant stifle convictions that lead to Fear and then to Hope. This leads to a discussion about the apostates Temporary and Turnback and how a person can first have Hope but then why and how they go back to what they were before. Finally they reach the Land of Beulah and their discoursing ends for a small while.
In BOOK 2, Christiana's party traveled through this place ready to defend themselves should someone or some thing unsavory should attack. It is referred to as a forest, and it is all grown over with briars and thorns except for a few places, where the pilgrim could find an arbor in which to rest, but it was doubtful one would wake from that rest, so the wise pilgrim pushes on. A mist and darkness overcomes the group, and they keep in touch with each other with their voices, for "they walked not by sight"; a reference to 2 Corinthians 5:7.
Although they were able to move at a fast pace, the road was rough and there was no inns or public houses where they could obtain food. they past up a tempting arbor referred to as Slothful's Friend and was forced to stop at "a place at which a man is apt to lose his way. Great-Heart pulls out a map (the Bible) and strikes a light and follow he path to the right - which, if they hadn't, they would have ended up in a pit.
They then come to an arbor along the side of the path where Heedless and Too-bold are asleep. Each in the party tried to wake them by first calling them by name (Great-Heart knew who they were) and then by shaking them. the two mumbled in their sleep but otherwise gave no reaction.
They meet a man kneeling and praying in the way whom Mr. Honest knew - his name was Steadfast (they are from the same general country, and Steadfast refers to him as Father Honest.) He tells them of being tempted by Madam Bubble, a worldy temptress who tempts him with her purse, her body, and her bed (no one wakes from sleep in the Inchanted Ground). He accompanies the party as they leave the Inchanted Ground and enter the Land of Beulah.
There are two persons with this name in the book:
(1) See Mrs. Timorous.
(2) see Dead-Man's Lane.
Interpreter, House of
In BOOK 1, he shows the Christian several things that they are ready to see, having obediently entered the Strait and Narrow according to the instructions of the great King:
1. a picture of a man authorized to lead them, so they might not be fooled by frauds;
2. a parlor full of dust which cannot be cleansed without water first being sprinkled; representing the effects of the Gospel in a person's life;
3. little room with two children named Passion and Patience;
4. a place where there was a fire against a wall the burned higher and hotter when water was thrown on it, representing the fact that the Devil has no power to extinguish the effect of grace on a pilgrim's heart;
5. a pleasant place with a palace to which pilgrims were fighting to enter the castle and obtain eternal glory;
6. a man named Fearful in the iron cage of Despair - a minister who sinned against righteousness to the point of no repentance;
7. a chamber where one was rising from bed after dreaming of the Final Judgment when the Wheat and the Tares would be divided and the chaff and stubble would be thrown into the burning lake and the bottomless pit would open to receive it - Christian discovers that Hope and Fear are not opposites in a pilgrim's progress towards the Celestial City.
In BOOK 2, Christina and her party come upon the house and overhear the house talking about her - that she is finally on pilgrimage. He knocks and and a damsel named Innocent comes to the door. Upon being identified the girl runs back into the house to announce who's knocking, and the household jumps for joy. The master of the house welcomes Christina and her party.
As supper was not yet ready, Interpreter took Christina and showed her all the Significant Rooms he had showed Christian when he had come to the house (1-7 above), and then he showed her some additional scenes:
8. a man looking downward with a muckrake in his hands;
9. the very best room in the house - with a very great spider on the wall;
10. a hen and her chicks that looks upward with every swallow;
11. a butcher and a silent lamb;
12. a peaceful flower garden;
13. a grain field - but there are no grains on the stalks;
14. a robin with a great spider in his mouth.
15. Interpreter recites various wise sayings.
16. She is taken to see a tree whose inside was all rotten and gone.
Finally supper is ready and they all go in to eat, reciting for the house why they have become pilgrims and what has happed to them thus far. Afterwards they are shown to sleeping chambers and receive a good night's sleep.
In the morning they prepare to leave, but Interpreter bids them to tarry, taking them into the garden of the Bath, where they are made clean of their travels thus far - not only are they "sweet and clean, but also much enlivened and strengthened in their joints." He then seals his mark on them.
Innocent is then sent to fetch White Raiment of clean, fine linen to clothe them all, and Great-Heart, a man-servant is commissioned to conduct the party to the palace Beautiful.
He discusses their journey with Great-Heart while in the Prince's Arbour. At the palace Beautiful, Prudence tests him on his knowledge concerning the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the Valley of the Shadow of Death his mother gives him some of the medicine from the palace Beautiful to help him through that place. While in the wilderness, Mr. Honest admonishes him - "be thou like James the just, and like James the brother of our Lord. Acts 1:13" While at Gaius' Inn, James is bid to read Isaiah 53 and it is discussed. Also while at the inn he weds the innkeeper's daughter Phebe.
He accompanies Great-Heart in the siege and destruction of Doubting Castle.
-- Prince
-- Lord of the Hill Difficulty
-- Lord Governor/Prince, Lord of the country (Mount Zion)
-- Merciful One
-- Master of the College of Physicians
-- The Prince of princes
-- blessed One
-- Holy One
At the palace Beautiful, Prudence tests him on his knowledge concerning Salvation.
While in the wilderness, Mr. Honest admonishes him - "be thou like Joseph in Potiphar’s house, chaste, and one that flees from temptation. Gen. 39."
While at Gaius' Inn, Joseph comments on riddles being told. In the town of Vanity, he marries Mr. Mnason's daughter Martha.
He accompanies Great-Heart in the siege and destruction of Doubting Castle.
Far too many Christians harshly dismiss the Law of Moses as a worthless thing, but I remind them of Who gave the Law, and that He would never give anything worthless. Additionally, a student, once they have obtained a degree and they themselves are now a professor, does not turn around and condemn and belittle those professors who got them to where they are - thusly, it is very foolish of Christians to make light of the Law that prepared the world for the Gospel of Christ. I encourage all Christians to study the law of Moses, not has it has been built upon by centuries of priests, rabbis, and scholars, but in it's original form - as the foundation upon which Christ built - and then tell me it is of little worth, as I find it an amazing code for one to live by, even though I do as a Christian live the Gospel of Christ with all it's fulfilling of the principles and purposes of the Mosaic code.
In many of the New Testament epistles, "the Law" and "Grace" are constantly being compared. In these passages it is actually "the Law of Moses" and the "Gospel of Christ" that are being compared, the words 'law' and 'grace' being used in the place of the longer terms. In a Christian view, the Law of Moses is that which prepares and teaches a person to love their neighbor and to love and obey their God, while it is the Gospel of Christ that comes in with the power of salvation and the granting of Eternal Life through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, an action Christians see as prophesied of in the Mosaic ordinances.
See
Vanity Fair.
In the New Testament, Christ cast a legion of
demons, who call 'themself' Legion - from a person; see Mark chapter 5. In
this book, He is listed of one of the three founders of the
Fair at Vanity.
In BOOK 2, Christiana and her party pass right by without stopping.
the oldest son of
Christian and Christina
At the palace Beautiful,
Prudence tests him on his knowledge concerning the
Resurrection. He takes ill from the fruit from
Beelzebub's orchard, and while recovering he holds long discussions with
Mercy.
In the wilderness,
Mr. Honest admonishes him - "be thou like
Matthew the publican, not in vice, but in virtue. Matt. 10:3"
At Gaius' Inn he weds
Mercy.
He accompanies Great-Heart
in the siege and destruction of Doubting Castle.
In BOOK 2, He is an enemy of God who resides in the Valley of the Shadow of Death and uses sophistry (subtly deceptive reasoning or argumentation) to spoil young pilgrims. As he occupies the place Pope and Pagan had in BOOK 1, scholars agree that this is another form of Bunyan's opinion of the Catholic Church.
a young woman; friend of
Christina, who accompanies her on her pilgrimage, thus showing that
Mercy accompanies all those who at first refuse their pilgrimage but repent
and begin the journey.
We are told that the King
delighteth in mercy.
At Gaius' Inn she weds
Christina's son Matthew.
(2) See Rogues.
a town off the path from the wide field;
home of Legality and Civility (courtesy). The passing pilgrim
will be told that, instead of the hardships of the pilgrimage, here they may
meet with Safety, Friendship, and Content. they will
also be able to live in Credit (credibility; good reputation) and
good Fashion. There is a hill (Mt. Sinai, complete with clouds, fire,
and thunderings) looming over the town in such a way that many pilgrims are
afraid it will come crashing down on them at any moment.
Goodwill tells Christian that this hill has
been the death of many - they live the civil and moral precepts of God's law
but do not accept the spiritual and eternal aspects of it.
In Bunyan's time, this represented the
Law of Moses as being specifically a code of
civil and moral laws but not specifically a spiritual, heavenly law.
In BOOK 1, Christian and Hopeful cross the River, from the Country of Beulah and are met by two shining men who identify themselves as - "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those that shall be the heirs of salvation. Thus they went along towards the gate." Although it was a "mighty hill", they climbed with ease as the two shining men led them by the arms - also because they left their "mortal garments" (their body's mortality and fragility) behind in the River. While ascending the mount, the two men describe the Celestial City, its inhabitants, and what they will do there.
As our two pilgrims finally draw near the Gate to the Celestial City, a company of Heavenly Hosts come out to meet them. the two Singing Men introduce them in these words: "These are the men that have loved our Lord when they were in the world, and that have left all for his holy name; and he hath sent us to fetch them, and we have brought them thus far on their desired journey, that they may go in and look their Redeemer in the face with joy. Then the heavenly host gave a great shout, saying, “Blessed are they that are called to the marriage-supper of the Lamb.” There came out also at this time to meet them several of the King’s trumpeters, clothed in white and shining raiment, who, with melodious noises and loud, made even the heavens to echo with their sound. These trumpeters saluted Christian and his fellow with ten thousand welcomes from the world; and this they did with shouting and sound of trumpet." Thus surrounded by those of the City, they entered into their reward.
Ignorance did not have such a good reception, however. He was rowed across the River and there was no one to greet him at the base of the hill or at the gate. Not having a certificate, he was bound and dragged to Hell.
In BOOK 2 we see that there are horses and chariots as well as trumpeters and pipers waiting on the Mount side of the River to receive the faithful Pilgrim. Good-Conscience, a former friend of Mr. Honest, was on hand to lend his hand to help him across the River.
(1) When they first meet, Evangelist gives Christian a roll that has "Flee from the Wrath to come" written on it.
(2) At the beginning of BOOK 2, Christina sees a broad Parchment with the sum of her actions written on it. She is taken in fear of what is written there.
(3) When Secret gives Christina her parchment from the King, requesting her to start her pilgrimage, it is in the form of a letter as opposed to a roll.
(4) All pilgrims are given a parchment, whether a role of a letter, which is the invitation/authorization for admittance into the Celestial City. If they live worthy they will not loose this parchment. Without this document one cannot enter - just ask Ignorance.
In both books, the Pilgrim has survived the Valley of the Shadow of Death, made it through Vanity and its Fair, and has passed by the temptation of Hill Lucre. Here in this green and lush meadow, the Strait and Narrow path runs alongside an equally pleasant river which King David called the River of God and St. John called the Water of Life. Here the Pilgrim finds a place to rest and recharge their physical, mental, and spiritual stores for the final push towards the Celestial City.
BOOK 1 describes the place thusly: "...Now their way lay just upon the bank of this river: here, therefore, Christian and his companion walked with great delight; they drank also of the water of the river, which was pleasant and enlivening to their weary spirits. Besides, on the banks of this river, on either side, were green trees with all manner of fruit; and the leaves they ate to prevent surfeits [maladies caused by overeating], and other diseases that are incident to those that heat their blood by travel. On either side of the river was also a meadow, curiously beautified with lilies; and it was green all the year long. In this meadow they lay down and slept, for here they might lie down safely. (Psa. 23:2; Isa. 14:30) When they awoke they gathered again of the fruit of the trees, and drank again of the water of the river, and then lay down again to sleep. Thus they did several days and nights."
BOOK 2, Christiana and her party had an additional event in this peaceful place. The book tell us that "...they went on till they came to the river that was on this side of the Delectable Mountains; to the river where the fine trees grow on both sides, and whose leaves, if taken inwardly, are good against surfeits [maladies caused by overeating]; where the meadows are green all the year long, and where they might lie down safely. Psa. 23:2.
"By this river-side, in the meadows, there were cotes [shelter for small animals] and folds for sheep, a house built for the nourishing and bringing up of those lambs, the babes of those women that go on pilgrimage. Also there was here one that was intrusted with them, who could have compassion; and that could gather these lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that were with young. Heb. 5:2; Isa. 40:11. Now, to the care of this man Christiana admonished her four daughters to commit their little ones, that by these waters they might be housed, harbored, succored, and nourished, and that none of them might be lacking in time to come. This man, if any of them go astray, or be lost, will bring them again; he will also bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen them that are sick. Jer. 23:4; Ezek. 34:11-16. Here they will never want meat, drink, and clothing; here they will be kept from thieves and robbers; for this man will die before one of those committed to his trust shall be lost. Besides, here they shall be sure to have good nurture and admonition, and shall be taught to walk in right paths, and that you know is a favor of no small account. Also here, as you see, are delicate waters, pleasant meadows, dainty flowers, variety of trees, and such as bear wholesome fruit: fruit, not like that which Matthew ate of, that fell over the wall out of Beelzebub’s garden; but fruit that procureth health where there is none, and that continueth and increaseth it where it is. So they were content to commit their little ones to him; and that which was also an encouragement to them so to do, was, for that all this was to be at the charge of the King, and so was as an hospital to young children and orphans."
Obviously this One who cares for the children of the Pilgrims could only be the Good Shepherd as described in John 10:1-18:
"VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
"This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."
Compare this passage from the Holy Bible to the scripture supporting the identity of Goodwill, the gatekeeper at the Wicket Gate.
Porter's Lodge
At By-path Meadow, it is recorded that he danced with Much-Afraid as Christian's party celebrates the downfall of Doubting Castle.
Between the
Country of Beulah and
Mount Zion (where the
Celestial City sits) is the River which is the final obstacle for the
Pilgrim in reaching that city. There is no bridge across the river - the
pilgrim must ford it in faith of reaching a better place.
In BOOK 1, two
Shining Ones invited
Christian and Hopeful to cross the river. they
ask if there is any other way across and are told there is but only Enoch
and Elijah have gone that way (translated to Heaven without dying). While
readying to cross and even while beginning to cross, the two pilgrims manage
to discourse on the topic of death and fearing it. Christian remembers
Isaiah 43:2: "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with
thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee..." and this
gives him courage to cross. Upon the celestial side of the river they are
met by two more shining men who identify
themselves as - "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for
those that shall be the heirs of salvation. Thus they went along
towards the gate."
Sometime later, a ferryman ferries Ignorance
across the river, further proving his unworthiness for entrance into the
city.
PILGRIM'S PROGRESS holds Rome in great contempt - first as
the Pagan capitol that ruled and held the "known world" captive and
then as the headquarters of the Catholic Church, which still ruled and held
the "known world" captive until the Reformation. Bunyan
called it as he saw it and was not ashamed to say it. I will not interject my
thoughts and feelings as this is about Bunyan and his book - and I will let
history judge the accuracy of Bunyan's opinion on the religious tyranny of
Rome.
Bunyan
held other churches in equally low regard. The Church of England, the
Puritans, and even the Quakers fared as poorly under his gaze as did Rome.
Additionally, any religion that sought to
be both the civil and the religious authority over the hearts and minds of
its subjects or allowed itself to be used by the monarch as a tool to
persecute those it did not like.
a term Christina uses when referring to the City of Destruction
(from the word 'sagacious';
keen in perception; discerning)
In Book 2 he is an aged man who meets the Narrator outside the city of
Destruction and tells the story of
Christina, her sons, and
Mercy setting off on
their pilgrimage. He narrates their story until they reach the
Wicket Gate, at which time the Narrator takes
over telling the story.
At the palace Beautiful, Prudence tests him on his knowledge concerning Heaven and Hell. In the Valley of the Shadow of Death he exclaims that he exclaims that henceforth he will "prize light and the good way, better than I did in all my life." In the wilderness, Mr. Honest admonishes him - "be thou like Samuel the prophet, a man of faith and prayer. Psa. 99:6" While at Gaius' Inn, it is Samuel who suggests they stay a while, especially for Matthew and Mercy to wed, and they stay a month.
At the town of Vanity, Samuel marries Grace, the daughter of Mr. Mnason.
He accompanies Great-Heart in the siege and destruction of Doubting Castle.
see
Valley of the Shadow of Death
According to STRONG's, the satyr mentioned in the Holy Bible
is a translation of 'a hairy he-goat'. In mythology, it is a half-human,
half-goat creature that inhabited the dark and dangerous parts of a forest.
Great-heart related to Christina's party the story of this person. He never entered onto the Path by the Gate, and be believed "that a man might follow the vices as well as the virtues of pilgrims; and that if he did both, he should be certainly saved."
Great-heart has several things to say about this, including: "His supposing that such may have the godly men’s virtues, who addict themselves to their vices, is also a delusion as strong as the other. To eat up the sin of God’s people, as a dog licks up filth, is no sign that one is possessed with their virtues. Nor can I believe that one who is of this opinion, can at present have faith or love in him."
Self-will is a manifestation of Pride, as defined in the Book of Mormon: "Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom's paths! Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide." (Helaman 12:5-6; underlining and italics by myself)
Angels and/or other Heavenly Guides that assists pilgrims but guiding, teaching, and admonishing them.
In BOOK 1, as Christian came to
the bottom of the hill that was the place of
Deliverance, he came upon three
sleeping figures: with fetters on their heels. He
tried to wake them and help them take the fetters off.
Simple (simpleton) said: "I see no danger."
Sloth (laziness) said: "Yet a little more sleep."
Presumption (a
legal inference as to the existence or truth of a fact not certainly known
that is drawn from the known or proved existence of some other fact) said: "Every tub must stand on his own
bottom," meaning, 'every man must rely upon himself,' having
fallen prey to the false belief that Self-Reliance is God's plan (as
opposed to 'self-sufficiency').
In BOOK 2, Christina and her party find that these
three have been hanged up in irons. Great-Heart mentions by name pilgrims
who have been persuaded to do as these three: Slow-pace,
Short-wind, No-heart, Linger-after-lust, Sleepy-head,
and Dull.
(2) home of Little-Faith; See Dead-Man's Lane.
an "ancient and well-approved physician" called to assist when Matthew takes sick
We have been taught that 'strait' means the same as 'straight', but it doesn't: the Greek for 'strait' means 'narrow'; implying that obedience leaves no room for wavering to and fro - a straightness of mind and heart. Thus Bunyan said this path is as strait as a rule (commandment) can make it; not a ruler (measuring stick). Thus it might not be physically straight, but it will be morally strait.
Narrow can be interpreted to mean that there is only one way - no room to step to the left or to the right; no deviation.
Great-heart proclaims it to be a worse city than Destruction - Bunyan's original footnote says that "Stupefied ones are worse than those merely carnal." - Mr. Honest agrees, saying "we... are more cold and senseless..."