"...
But I beheld in my dream that a man came to him, whose name was Help, and asked him what he did there.
CHRISTIAN: Sir, I was bid to go this way by a man called Evangelist, who directed me also to yonder gate, that I might escape the wrath to come. And as I was going thither, I fell in here.
HELP: But why did not you look for the steps?
CHRISTIAN: Fear followed me so hard, that I fled the next way, and fell in.
HELP: Give me thine hand.
So he gave him his hand, and he drew him out (Psalm 40:2), and set him upon sound ground, and bid him go on his way.
Then I stepped to him that plucked him out and said: Sir, wherefore, since over this place is the way from the city of Destruction to yonder gate, is it that this plat is not mended, that poor travelers might to thither with more security?
HELP: This miry Slough is such a place as cannot be mended. It is 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.
It is not the pleasure of the Kind that this place should remain so bad (Isaiah 35:3-4). His laborers also have, by the direction of His Majesty's surveyors, been for above these sixteen hundred years employed about this patch of ground, if perhaps it might have been mended, yea, and to my knowledge, here have been swallowed up at least twenty thousand cartloads, yea, millions of wholesome instructions, that have at all seasons been brought from all places of the King's dominions (and they that can tell, say they are the best materials to make good ground of the place), if so be it might have been mended; but it is the Slough of Despond still, and so will be when they have done what they can.
True, there are, by the direction of the Lawgiver, certain good and substantial steps, placed even through the very midst of this Slough; but at such time as this place doth much spew out its filth, as it doth against change of weather, these steps are hardly seen; or it they be, men, through the dizziness of their heads, step beside, and then they are bemired to purpose, notwithstanding the steps be there; but the ground is good when they are once got in at the gate (1 Samuel 12:23).
Now I saw in my dream that by this time Pliable was got home to his house. So his neighbors came to visit him; and some of them called him wise man for coming back, and some called him fool for hazarding himself with Christian; others again did mock at his cowardliness, saying: Surely, since you out for a few difficulties; so Pliable sat sneaking among them. But at last he got more confidence, and then they all turned their tails, and began to deride poor Christian behind his back. And thus much concerning Pliable.
..."
As we read about how the King, had ordered his labourers to maintain the place, yet, the Slough of Despond is still a slough! It's sad to know how hard God's prophets had worked, how hard they warned people, still...
And looking at what happened to Pliable back home, others joined in to deride Christian behind his back, sounds awfully familiar..
Well, I AM a Christian, and I know what the character has been going through..
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The Slough of Despond
"...
Now I saw in my dream, that just as they had ended this talk, they drew nigh to a very miry Slough that was in the midst of the plain; and they being heedless, did both fall suddenly into the bog. The name of the Slough was Despond. Here, therefore, they wallowed for a time, being grievously bedaubed with the dirt; and Christian, because of the burden that was on his back, began to sink in the mire.
PLIABLE: Ah, neighbor Christian, where are you now?
CHRISTIAN: Truly, I do not know.
At this Pliable began to be offended, and angrily said to his fellow:
PLIABLE: Is this the happiness you have told me all this while of? If we have such ill speed at our first setting out, what may we expect between this and our journey's end? May I get out again with my life, and you shall possess the brave country alone for me!
And with that he gave a desperate struggle or two, and got out of the mire on that side of the SLough which was next to his own house; so away he went, and Christian saw him no more.
Wherefore, Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone; but still he endeavored to struggle to that side of the Slough that was farthest from his own house, and next to the wicket gate; the which he did, but could not get out because of the burden that was upon his back.
..."
from Dictionary.com
Now I saw in my dream, that just as they had ended this talk, they drew nigh to a very miry Slough that was in the midst of the plain; and they being heedless, did both fall suddenly into the bog. The name of the Slough was Despond. Here, therefore, they wallowed for a time, being grievously bedaubed with the dirt; and Christian, because of the burden that was on his back, began to sink in the mire.
PLIABLE: Ah, neighbor Christian, where are you now?
CHRISTIAN: Truly, I do not know.
At this Pliable began to be offended, and angrily said to his fellow:
PLIABLE: Is this the happiness you have told me all this while of? If we have such ill speed at our first setting out, what may we expect between this and our journey's end? May I get out again with my life, and you shall possess the brave country alone for me!
And with that he gave a desperate struggle or two, and got out of the mire on that side of the SLough which was next to his own house; so away he went, and Christian saw him no more.
Wherefore, Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone; but still he endeavored to struggle to that side of the Slough that was farthest from his own house, and next to the wicket gate; the which he did, but could not get out because of the burden that was upon his back.
..."
from Dictionary.com
de·spond
–verb (used without object)
1.
to be depressed by loss of hope, confidence, or courage.
Origin:
1670–80; < L dēspondēre to give up, lose heart, promise, equiv. to dē- de- + spondēre to promise
1670–80; < L dēspondēre to give up, lose heart, promise, equiv. to dē- de- + spondēre to promise
here, we see how PLIABLE easily gave up and left without helping Christian. However, even though Christian was stuck, he still MOVE AWAY from this house and towards the promised Kingdom..
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Obstinate and Pliable Pursue Him
"...The name of the one was Obstinate, and the name of the other Pliable. Now by this time the man was got a good distance from them; but, however, they were resolved to pursue him, which they did, and in a little time they overtook him. Then said the man:
PILGRIM: Neighbors, wherefore are ye come?
NEIGHBOR: To persuade you to go back with us.
PILGRIM: That can by no means be. You dwell in the city of Destruction, the place also where I was born: I see it to be son; and dying there; sooner or later you will sink lower than the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone. Be content, good neighbors, go along with me!
OBSTINATE: What! And leave our friends and our comforts behind us!
CHRISTIAN: Yes (said Christian, for that was his name), because that all is not worthy to be compared with a little of that I am seeking to enjoy (2 Cor 4:18). If you will go along with me, and hold it, you shall fare as I myself; for there, where I go, is enough and to spare (Luke 15:17). Come away, and prove my words.
OBSTINATE: What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to find them?
CHRISTIAN: I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away (1 Peter 1:4); and it is laid up in Heaven, and safe there (Hebrews 2:16), to be bestowed, at the time appointed, on them diligently seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my Book.
OBSTINATE: Tush! Away with your Book; will you go back with us or no?
CHRISTIAN: No, not I, because I have laid my hand to the plow (Luke 9:62).
OBSTINATE: Come then, neighbor Pliable, let us turn again and go home without him. There is a company of these crazy-headed coxcombs, that when they take a fancy by the end are wiser in their own eyes than seven men that can render a reason.
PLIABLE: Then don't revile. If what the good Christian says is true, the things he looks after are better than ours. My heart inclines to go with my neighbor.
OBSTINATE: What! More fools still! Be ruled by me and go back. Who knows whither such a brain-sick fellow will lead you? Go back, go back, and be wise.
CHRISTIAN: Come with me, neighbor Pliable; there are such things to be had which I spoke of, and many more glories besides. If you believe not me, read here in this Book; and for the truth of what is expressed therein, behold all is confirmed by the blood of Him that made it (Hebrews 9:17-21).
PLIABLE: Well, neighbor Obstinate, I begin to come to a point; I intend to go along with this good man, and to cast in my lot with him. But, my good companion, do you know the way to this desired place?
CHRISTIAN: I am directed by a man, whose name is Evangelist, to speed me to a little gate that is before us, where we shall receive instruction about the way.
PLIABLE: Come then, good neighbor, let us be going.
(Then they went together.)
OBSTINATE: And I will go back to my place; I will be no companion of such misled, fantastical fellows.
Now I saw in my dream that when Obstinate was gone back, Christian and Pliable went talking over the plain; and thus they began their discourse.
CHRISTIAN: Come, neighbor Pliable, how do you do? I am glad you are persuaded to go along with me. Had even Obstinate himself but felt what I have felt of the powers and terrors of what is yet unseen, he would not thus lightly have given us the back.
PLIABLE: Come, neighbor Christian, since there are none but us two here, tell me now further what the things are, and how to be enjoyed, whither we are going.
CHRISTIAN: I can better conceive of them with my mind than speak of them with my tongue; but yet, since you are desirous to know, I will read of them in my Book.
PLIABLE: And do you think that the words of your Book are certainly true?
CHRISTIAN: Yes, verily; for it was made by Him that cannot lie (Titus 1:2)
PLIABLE: Well said; what things are they?
CHRISTIAN: There is an endless kingdom to be inhabited, and everlasting life to be given us, that we may inhabit that kingdom forever (Isaiah 45:17; John 10:27-29)
PLIABLE: Well said; and what else?
CHRISTIAN: There are crowns of glory to be given us, and garments that will make us shine like the sun in the firmament of the Heaven (2 Tim 4:8, Revelation 22:5, Matthew 13:43).
PLIABLE: This is excellent; and what else?
CHRISTIAN: There shall be no more crying, nor sorrow; for He that is owner of the place will wipe all tears from our eyes (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:16-17; 21:4)
PLIABLE: And what company shall we have there?
CHRISTIAN: There we shall be with seraphim and cherubim (Isaiah 6:2; I Thess 4:16-17; Revelation 5:11), creatures that will dazzle our eyes to look on them. There also we shall meet with thousands and ten thousands that have gone before us to that place; none of them are hurtful, but loveing and holy, everyone walking in the sight of God, and standing in His presence with acceptance forever. In a word, there we shall see the elders with their golden crowns (Revelation 4:4); there we shall see the holy virgins with their golden harps (Revelation 14:1-5); there we shall see men that by the world were cut in pieces, burned in flames, eaten of beasts, drowned in the seas, for the love they bare to the Lord of the place (John 12:25); all well, and clothed with immortality as with a garment (2 Cor 5:2, 3, 5).
PLIABLE: The hearing of this is enough to ravish one's heart. But are these things to be enjoyed? How shall we get to be sharers thereof?
CHRISTIAN: The Lord, the Governor of the country, hath recorded that in this Book (Isaiah 55:1-2; John 7:37; Revelation 21:6; 22:17), the substance of which is, if we be truly willing to have it, He will bestow it upon us freely.
PLIABLE: Well, my good companion, glad am I to hear of these things; come on, let us mend our pace.
CHRISTIAN: I cannot go so fast as I would, by reason of this burden that is on my back. ..."
Obstinate
PILGRIM: Neighbors, wherefore are ye come?
NEIGHBOR: To persuade you to go back with us.
PILGRIM: That can by no means be. You dwell in the city of Destruction, the place also where I was born: I see it to be son; and dying there; sooner or later you will sink lower than the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone. Be content, good neighbors, go along with me!
OBSTINATE: What! And leave our friends and our comforts behind us!
CHRISTIAN: Yes (said Christian, for that was his name), because that all is not worthy to be compared with a little of that I am seeking to enjoy (2 Cor 4:18). If you will go along with me, and hold it, you shall fare as I myself; for there, where I go, is enough and to spare (Luke 15:17). Come away, and prove my words.
OBSTINATE: What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to find them?
CHRISTIAN: I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away (1 Peter 1:4); and it is laid up in Heaven, and safe there (Hebrews 2:16), to be bestowed, at the time appointed, on them diligently seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my Book.
OBSTINATE: Tush! Away with your Book; will you go back with us or no?
CHRISTIAN: No, not I, because I have laid my hand to the plow (Luke 9:62).
OBSTINATE: Come then, neighbor Pliable, let us turn again and go home without him. There is a company of these crazy-headed coxcombs, that when they take a fancy by the end are wiser in their own eyes than seven men that can render a reason.
PLIABLE: Then don't revile. If what the good Christian says is true, the things he looks after are better than ours. My heart inclines to go with my neighbor.
OBSTINATE: What! More fools still! Be ruled by me and go back. Who knows whither such a brain-sick fellow will lead you? Go back, go back, and be wise.
CHRISTIAN: Come with me, neighbor Pliable; there are such things to be had which I spoke of, and many more glories besides. If you believe not me, read here in this Book; and for the truth of what is expressed therein, behold all is confirmed by the blood of Him that made it (Hebrews 9:17-21).
PLIABLE: Well, neighbor Obstinate, I begin to come to a point; I intend to go along with this good man, and to cast in my lot with him. But, my good companion, do you know the way to this desired place?
CHRISTIAN: I am directed by a man, whose name is Evangelist, to speed me to a little gate that is before us, where we shall receive instruction about the way.
PLIABLE: Come then, good neighbor, let us be going.
(Then they went together.)
OBSTINATE: And I will go back to my place; I will be no companion of such misled, fantastical fellows.
Now I saw in my dream that when Obstinate was gone back, Christian and Pliable went talking over the plain; and thus they began their discourse.
CHRISTIAN: Come, neighbor Pliable, how do you do? I am glad you are persuaded to go along with me. Had even Obstinate himself but felt what I have felt of the powers and terrors of what is yet unseen, he would not thus lightly have given us the back.
PLIABLE: Come, neighbor Christian, since there are none but us two here, tell me now further what the things are, and how to be enjoyed, whither we are going.
CHRISTIAN: I can better conceive of them with my mind than speak of them with my tongue; but yet, since you are desirous to know, I will read of them in my Book.
PLIABLE: And do you think that the words of your Book are certainly true?
CHRISTIAN: Yes, verily; for it was made by Him that cannot lie (Titus 1:2)
PLIABLE: Well said; what things are they?
CHRISTIAN: There is an endless kingdom to be inhabited, and everlasting life to be given us, that we may inhabit that kingdom forever (Isaiah 45:17; John 10:27-29)
PLIABLE: Well said; and what else?
CHRISTIAN: There are crowns of glory to be given us, and garments that will make us shine like the sun in the firmament of the Heaven (2 Tim 4:8, Revelation 22:5, Matthew 13:43).
PLIABLE: This is excellent; and what else?
CHRISTIAN: There shall be no more crying, nor sorrow; for He that is owner of the place will wipe all tears from our eyes (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:16-17; 21:4)
PLIABLE: And what company shall we have there?
CHRISTIAN: There we shall be with seraphim and cherubim (Isaiah 6:2; I Thess 4:16-17; Revelation 5:11), creatures that will dazzle our eyes to look on them. There also we shall meet with thousands and ten thousands that have gone before us to that place; none of them are hurtful, but loveing and holy, everyone walking in the sight of God, and standing in His presence with acceptance forever. In a word, there we shall see the elders with their golden crowns (Revelation 4:4); there we shall see the holy virgins with their golden harps (Revelation 14:1-5); there we shall see men that by the world were cut in pieces, burned in flames, eaten of beasts, drowned in the seas, for the love they bare to the Lord of the place (John 12:25); all well, and clothed with immortality as with a garment (2 Cor 5:2, 3, 5).
PLIABLE: The hearing of this is enough to ravish one's heart. But are these things to be enjoyed? How shall we get to be sharers thereof?
CHRISTIAN: The Lord, the Governor of the country, hath recorded that in this Book (Isaiah 55:1-2; John 7:37; Revelation 21:6; 22:17), the substance of which is, if we be truly willing to have it, He will bestow it upon us freely.
PLIABLE: Well, my good companion, glad am I to hear of these things; come on, let us mend our pace.
CHRISTIAN: I cannot go so fast as I would, by reason of this burden that is on my back. ..."
Obstinate
firmly or stubbornly adhering to one's purpose, opinion, etc.; not yielding to argument, persuasion, or entreaty. (www.dictionary.com)
Pliable
easily influenced or persuaded (www.dictionary.com)
I love how John Bunyan has named his characters, and how these characters totally reflect those we see today.. I think I can say who is the obstinate one at my own home.. Well, God willing, she'll be Christian.. =)
Monday, January 3, 2011
Pilgrim Meets Evangelist
"...I looked then, and saw a man named Evangelist coming to him, who asked:
EVANGELIST: Wherefore dost thou cry?
PILGRIM: Sir, I perceive by the Book in my hand, that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgement (Hebrews 9:27); and I find that I am not willing to do the first (Job 16:21-22), nor able to do the second (Ezekiel 22:14).
EVANGELIST: Why no willing to die, since this life is attended with so many evils?
PILGRIM: Because I fear that this burden that is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall fall into Tophet (Isaiah 30:33). And, sir, if I be not fit to go to prison, I am not fit to go to judgement, and from thence to execution, and the thoughts of these things make me cry.
EVANGELIST: If this by thy condition, why standest thou still?
PILGRIM: Because I know not whiter to go.
Then her gave him a parchment roll, and there was written within, "Flee from the wrath to come" (Matthew 3:7)
The man therefore read it, and, looking upon Evangelist very carefully, said:
PILGRIM: Whither must I flee?
EVANGELIST: (Pointing with his finger over a very wide field), Do you see yonder wicket gate? (Matthew 7:13-14.)
PILGRIM: No.
EVANGELIST: Do you see yonder shinning light? (Psalm 119:105; 2Peter 1:16.)
PILGRIM: I think I do.
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 I saw in my dream that the man began to run. Now he had not run far from his own door, when his wife and children. perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying, "Life! life! External life!" (Luke 14:26). So he looked not behind him (Genesis 19:17), but fled toward the middle of the plain.
The neighbours also came out to see him run (Jeremiah 20:10), and as he ran, some mocked, others threatened, and some cried after him to return; and among those that did so, there were two that resolved to fetch him back by force..."
Key Legend:
Evangelist - A bearer of Good news.
I strongly encourage you to read once through, and then read it with the references from the Bible, which I had already done the search at biblegateway.com and link it for you so you dont have to search..
At this point, the PILGRIM has found his direction given by the EVANGELIST, and he's leaving all things behind, despite what people say, to pursue it.
EVANGELIST: Wherefore dost thou cry?
PILGRIM: Sir, I perceive by the Book in my hand, that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgement (Hebrews 9:27); and I find that I am not willing to do the first (Job 16:21-22), nor able to do the second (Ezekiel 22:14).
EVANGELIST: Why no willing to die, since this life is attended with so many evils?
PILGRIM: Because I fear that this burden that is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall fall into Tophet (Isaiah 30:33). And, sir, if I be not fit to go to prison, I am not fit to go to judgement, and from thence to execution, and the thoughts of these things make me cry.
EVANGELIST: If this by thy condition, why standest thou still?
PILGRIM: Because I know not whiter to go.
Then her gave him a parchment roll, and there was written within, "Flee from the wrath to come" (Matthew 3:7)
The man therefore read it, and, looking upon Evangelist very carefully, said:
PILGRIM: Whither must I flee?
EVANGELIST: (Pointing with his finger over a very wide field), Do you see yonder wicket gate? (Matthew 7:13-14.)
PILGRIM: No.
EVANGELIST: Do you see yonder shinning light? (Psalm 119:105; 2Peter 1:16.)
PILGRIM: I think I do.
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 I saw in my dream that the man began to run. Now he had not run far from his own door, when his wife and children. perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying, "Life! life! External life!" (Luke 14:26). So he looked not behind him (Genesis 19:17), but fled toward the middle of the plain.
The neighbours also came out to see him run (Jeremiah 20:10), and as he ran, some mocked, others threatened, and some cried after him to return; and among those that did so, there were two that resolved to fetch him back by force..."
Key Legend:
Evangelist - A bearer of Good news.
I strongly encourage you to read once through, and then read it with the references from the Bible, which I had already done the search at biblegateway.com and link it for you so you dont have to search..
At this point, the PILGRIM has found his direction given by the EVANGELIST, and he's leaving all things behind, despite what people say, to pursue it.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Pilgrim's Progress
"...~That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found into praise, and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ~ 1 Peter 1:7
AS I WALKED through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a den, and laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I dreamed, and behold I saw a man clothed with rags standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a Book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back (Isaiah 64:6; Luke 14:33; Psalm 38:4). I looked, and saw him open the Book and read therein; and as he read he wept and trembled; and not being able longer to contain, he break out with a lamentable cry, saying:
PILGRIM: What shall i do? (Acts 2:37; 16:30; Habakkuk1:2-3).
In this plight, therefore, he went home, and restrained himself as long as he could, that his wife and children should not perceive his distress; but he could not be silent long, because that his trouble increased. Wherefore at length he break his mind to his wife and children; and thus he began to talk to them:
PILGRIM: O my dear wife, and you my children, I, your dear friend, am in myself undone by a reason of a burden that lieth hard upon me. Moreover, I am certainly informed that this our city will be burned with fire from Heaven; in which fearful overthrow, both myself, with thee my wife, and you my sweet babes, shall miserably come to ruin, except (the which yet I see not) some way of escape can be found, whereby we may be delivered.
At this his relations were sore amazed, not for that they believed that what he had said to them was true, but because they thought that some frenzy distemper had got into his head. Therefore, it drawing toward night, and they hoping that sleep might settle his brains, with all haste they got him to bed. But the night was as troublesome to him as the day; wherefore, instead of sleeping, he spent it in sighs and tears. So when the morning was come, they would know how he did. He told them:
PILGRIM: Worse and worse.
He also set to talking to them again; but they began to be hardened. They also thought to drive away his distemper by harsh and surly carriage to him. Sometimes they would deride, sometimes they would chide, and sometimes they would quite neglect him. Wherefore he began to retire himself to his chamber to pray for and pity them, and also to condole his own misery; he would also walk solitarily in the fields, sometimes reading, and sometimes praying; and thus for some days he spent his time.
Now i saw, upon a time when he was walking in the fields, that he was (as he was wont) reading in his Book, and greatly distressed in his mind: and as he read, he burst out as he had done before, crying.
PILGRIM: What must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30-31).
I saw also that he looked this way, and that way, as if he would run; yet he stood still, because (as I perceived) he could not tell which way to go..."
Keywords legend:-
Book - Bible
Burden upon his back - Sins, awareness of sins he had.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs." (Matthew 5:3)
At this point in time, PILGRIM realises the burden he has on his back, and is very upset about the judgement that will fall if he does not find a way to escape the oncoming fire of judgement.
AS I WALKED through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a den, and laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I dreamed, and behold I saw a man clothed with rags standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a Book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back (Isaiah 64:6; Luke 14:33; Psalm 38:4). I looked, and saw him open the Book and read therein; and as he read he wept and trembled; and not being able longer to contain, he break out with a lamentable cry, saying:
PILGRIM: What shall i do? (Acts 2:37; 16:30; Habakkuk1:2-3).
In this plight, therefore, he went home, and restrained himself as long as he could, that his wife and children should not perceive his distress; but he could not be silent long, because that his trouble increased. Wherefore at length he break his mind to his wife and children; and thus he began to talk to them:
PILGRIM: O my dear wife, and you my children, I, your dear friend, am in myself undone by a reason of a burden that lieth hard upon me. Moreover, I am certainly informed that this our city will be burned with fire from Heaven; in which fearful overthrow, both myself, with thee my wife, and you my sweet babes, shall miserably come to ruin, except (the which yet I see not) some way of escape can be found, whereby we may be delivered.
At this his relations were sore amazed, not for that they believed that what he had said to them was true, but because they thought that some frenzy distemper had got into his head. Therefore, it drawing toward night, and they hoping that sleep might settle his brains, with all haste they got him to bed. But the night was as troublesome to him as the day; wherefore, instead of sleeping, he spent it in sighs and tears. So when the morning was come, they would know how he did. He told them:
PILGRIM: Worse and worse.
He also set to talking to them again; but they began to be hardened. They also thought to drive away his distemper by harsh and surly carriage to him. Sometimes they would deride, sometimes they would chide, and sometimes they would quite neglect him. Wherefore he began to retire himself to his chamber to pray for and pity them, and also to condole his own misery; he would also walk solitarily in the fields, sometimes reading, and sometimes praying; and thus for some days he spent his time.
Now i saw, upon a time when he was walking in the fields, that he was (as he was wont) reading in his Book, and greatly distressed in his mind: and as he read, he burst out as he had done before, crying.
PILGRIM: What must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30-31).
I saw also that he looked this way, and that way, as if he would run; yet he stood still, because (as I perceived) he could not tell which way to go..."
Keywords legend:-
Book - Bible
Burden upon his back - Sins, awareness of sins he had.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs." (Matthew 5:3)
At this point in time, PILGRIM realises the burden he has on his back, and is very upset about the judgement that will fall if he does not find a way to escape the oncoming fire of judgement.
Introduction
Quotes (ITALICS) are taken from The Pilgrim's Progress By John Bunyan, published by Moody Publishers, "slightly abridged for the modern reader" --T.p.verso. 2007 edition.
We learn better, and our faith becomes more personal and solid when we are delighted or drawn into truth rather than talked at. That John Bunyan understood this seems clear from these words written as an introduction to his unforgettable work Pilgrim's Progress. In a poetic "apologie" he expresses the twofold purpose of his brilliant allegory. He wanted to both affect the minds of the listless, those who had grown bored and lazy in their faith (in this work those who sleep when it is not appropriate), and to present the gospel with such urgency and warning that the lost would fall on their knees at the cross.
He chose a novel approach, an extended metaphor of the Christian life as a journey with a geography and weather, an approach so original he felt he had to cover himself with an opening poem of defense. Furthermore, he did not want to write to just entertain; he wanted to move readers' hearts to recognition and repentance by dramatizing the principles outlined in Scripture what will keep a man and woman true until they pass through the river of death to their eternal home....
...It is a story that contains a program for action, not just for meditation. As was once said of another writer, Bunyan warns his readers that God has a terrible plan for their lives if they don't wake up and smell the coffee. Besides, those readers contented with the merely devotional or artistic would be incapable of enduring a trail like Vanity Fair. What Bunyan tried to show is that the Christian life is not for the lazy or the cowardly; knowledge of Scripture and doctrine and the practice of obedience and attentiveness are central in the life of the growing child of God. A pilgrimage is an arduous walk, not a cross-continental flight. What is also true is that while Bunyan's protagonist, Christian, has the most difficulties to face, he also has the most adventure, the most exhilaration....
....The path from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City is essentially the same for everyone, with similar landmarks along the way.
The struggle to live out one's life in a world unwelcoming to the Christian faith is becoming more and more of a reality. We need the help of a Christian who has been there before us, a Christian who never avoided theology, who loved and knew the Word of God, who presented suffering in all its rawness and joy in all its exuberance, who in the midst of failure knew who he was and who he belonged to. "This book," Bunyan said, "will make a traveler of thee." And... there is wonder in this journey.
Rosalie De Rosset..."
I had already seen the movie version of it, and now reading it is another exciting moment for me, thus this is the reason why I had decided to set up another page just for this. To enjoy each section of Christian's journey.
I pray it will be the same for you.
"...Introduction
The Pilgrim's Progress
by John Bunyan
~The book is writ in such a dialect as may the minds of listless men affect, it seems a novelty, and yet contains nothing but sound and honest Gospel strains.
( "The Author's apologie for his book")
We learn better, and our faith becomes more personal and solid when we are delighted or drawn into truth rather than talked at. That John Bunyan understood this seems clear from these words written as an introduction to his unforgettable work Pilgrim's Progress. In a poetic "apologie" he expresses the twofold purpose of his brilliant allegory. He wanted to both affect the minds of the listless, those who had grown bored and lazy in their faith (in this work those who sleep when it is not appropriate), and to present the gospel with such urgency and warning that the lost would fall on their knees at the cross.
He chose a novel approach, an extended metaphor of the Christian life as a journey with a geography and weather, an approach so original he felt he had to cover himself with an opening poem of defense. Furthermore, he did not want to write to just entertain; he wanted to move readers' hearts to recognition and repentance by dramatizing the principles outlined in Scripture what will keep a man and woman true until they pass through the river of death to their eternal home....
...It is a story that contains a program for action, not just for meditation. As was once said of another writer, Bunyan warns his readers that God has a terrible plan for their lives if they don't wake up and smell the coffee. Besides, those readers contented with the merely devotional or artistic would be incapable of enduring a trail like Vanity Fair. What Bunyan tried to show is that the Christian life is not for the lazy or the cowardly; knowledge of Scripture and doctrine and the practice of obedience and attentiveness are central in the life of the growing child of God. A pilgrimage is an arduous walk, not a cross-continental flight. What is also true is that while Bunyan's protagonist, Christian, has the most difficulties to face, he also has the most adventure, the most exhilaration....
....The path from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City is essentially the same for everyone, with similar landmarks along the way.
The struggle to live out one's life in a world unwelcoming to the Christian faith is becoming more and more of a reality. We need the help of a Christian who has been there before us, a Christian who never avoided theology, who loved and knew the Word of God, who presented suffering in all its rawness and joy in all its exuberance, who in the midst of failure knew who he was and who he belonged to. "This book," Bunyan said, "will make a traveler of thee." And... there is wonder in this journey.
Rosalie De Rosset..."
I had already seen the movie version of it, and now reading it is another exciting moment for me, thus this is the reason why I had decided to set up another page just for this. To enjoy each section of Christian's journey.
I pray it will be the same for you.
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