Category: The Pilgrim’s Progress

Mercy’s Testimony

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July 26, 2024

6:33 am

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Mercy at the Gate

Interpreter:  So he addressed himself to Mercy, and said unto her, “And what moved you to come here, sweetheart?”

Then Mercy blushed and trembled; and for awhile continued silent.

Interpreter: Then said he, “Be not afraid; only believe, and speak your mind.”

Mercy: So she began, and said, “Truly, sir, it is my want of experience that makes me covet to be in silence; and that also that fills me with fears of coming short at last. I cannot tell of visions and dreams, as my friend Christiana can; nor do I know what it is to mourn for my refusing of the counsel of those that were good relations.”

Interpreter: What was it, then, dear heart, that has prevailed with you to do as you have done?

Mercy: Why, when our friend here was packing up to be gone from our town, I and another went accidentally to see her; so we knocked at the door and went in. When we were within, and seeing what she was doing, we asked what was her meaning. She said she was sent for to go to her husband; and then she up and told us how she had seen him in a dream, dwelling in a curious place among immortals, wearing a crown, playing upon a harp, eating and drinking at his Prince’s table, and singing praises to Him for bringing Him there, etc. Now, it seemed to me, while she was telling these things unto us, that my heart burned within me. And I said in my heart, if this be true, I will leave my father and my mother, and the land of my nativity, and will, if I may, go along with Christiana.

So I asked her further of the truth of these things, and if she would let me go with her; for I saw now that there was no dwelling, but with the danger of ruin, any longer in our town. But yet I came away with a heavy heart; not for that I was unwilling to come away, but for that so many of my relations were left behind. And I am come with all the desire of my heart; and will go, if I may, with Christiana unto her husband and his King.

Interpreter: Your setting out is good; for you have given credit to the truth. You are a Ruth; who did, for the love that she bore to Naomi, and to the Lord her God, leave father and mother, and the land of her nativity, to come out, and go with a people that she knew not heretofore. “The Lord recompense your work; and a full reward be given you of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you are come to truth”.

Now supper was ended, and preparation was made for bed. The women were laid singly alone, and the boys by themselves. Now when Mercy was in bed, she could not sleep for joy, for that now her doubts of missing at last were removed farther from her than ever they were before; so she lay blessing and praising God, who had had such favor for her.

Notes and Commentary

After hearing Christiana’s testimony, the Interpreter asks Mercy to share her reasons for becoming a pilgrim. Mercy at first hesitates and is for awhile silent. Unlike Christiana, Mercy was quickly receptive to hearing truth. She does not carry the same measure of regrets and laments for past sins and rejection of the gospel. But she fears she lacks “experience” and “cannot tell of visions and dreams” like Christiana. Nor does she have the same boldness and assurance as Christiana. Her testimony is humble and unassuming. But it needs to be told. 

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The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress is public domain.

Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2024 Ken Puls

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from 
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Return to A Guide to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2

Christiana’s Testimony

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July 16, 2024

6:33 am

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Christiana's Change of Heart

When the song and music were ended, the Interpreter asked Christiana what it was that at first did move her to commit herself to a pilgrim’s life?

Christiana answered, “First the loss of my husband came into my mind, at which I was heartily grieved; but all that was but natural affection. Then, after that, came the troubles and pilgrimage of my husband into my mind; and also how like a churl I had carried it to him as to that. So guilt took hold of my mind, and would have drawn me into the pond; but that opportunely I had a dream of the wellbeing of my husband, and a letter sent me by the King of that country where my husband dwells, to come to him. The dream and the letter together so wrought upon my mind, that they forced me to this way.”

Interpreter: But met you with no opposition afore you set out of doors?

Christiana: Yes; a neighbor of mine, one Mrs. Timorous (she was akin to him that would have persuaded my husband to go back for fear of the lions). She all-to-befooled me for—as she called it—my intended desperate adventure. She also urged what she could to dishearten me to it, —the hardship and troubles that my husband met with in the way, but all this I got over pretty well. But a dream that I had, of two ill looking ones, that I thought did plot how to make me miscarry in my journey, that hath troubled me much; yea, it still runs in my mind, and makes me afraid of everyone that I meet, lest they should meet me to do me a mischief, and to turn me out of the way. Yea, I may tell my lord, though I would not have everybody know it, that between this and the gate by which we got into the way, we were both so sorely assaulted, that we were made to cry out “murder.” And the two that made this assault upon us were like the two that I saw in my dream.

Interpreter: Then said the Interpreter, “Your beginning is good; your latter end shall greatly increase.”

Notes and Commentary

After supper, the Interpreter asks Christiana two significant questions. First he asks what caused her to become a pilgrim. Why did she finally relent concerning her decision to remain in Destruction and embark on a journey to the Celestial City? Did she consider her circumstances and come to a reasonable conclusion? Was she compelled by shame to do the right thing? Was she overcome with sorrow and moved by passion? What was it that caused her to change?

Continue Reading Notes and Commentary

The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress is public domain.

Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2024 Ken Puls

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from 
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Return to A Guide to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2

Supper and Song

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February 26, 2024

6:37 am

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Loaves of Bread in a basket, a Lute and a cup on a table

Now supper was ready, the table spread, and all things set on the board. So they sat down, and did eat, when one had given thanks. And the Interpreter did usually entertain those that lodged with him with music at meals; so the minstrels played. There was also one that did sing; and a very fine voice he had.

His song was this:

“The Lord is only my support
And He that doth me feed:
How can I, then want anything
Where of I stand in need?”

Notes and Commentary

At last the pilgrims sit down to a table spread with a fine meal. They have been anticipating this feast since arriving at the Interpreter’s House. Before they can continue the long journey ahead, they need nourishment and strength. The meal they enjoy highlights several important biblical truths.

Continue Reading Notes and Commentary

The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress is public domain.

Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2024 Ken Puls

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from 
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Return to A Guide to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2

A Rotting Tree

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February 13, 2024

6:33 am

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A Rotting Tree with new Growth

When the Interpreter had done, he takes them out into his garden again, and had them to a tree, whose inside was all rotten and gone, and yet it grew and had leaves. Then said Mercy, “What does this mean?” “This tree,” said he, “whose outside is fair, and whose inside is rotten, it is to which many may be compared that are in the garden of God; who, with their mouths, speak high in behalf of God, but indeed will do nothing for Him; whose leaves are fair, but their heart good for nothing but to be tinder for the devil’s tinderbox.”

Notes and Commentary

After the lesson of Proverbs, the pilgrims follow the Interpreter again into the garden. The garden, as noted earlier, represents the visible church. Here they see a curious sight. In the garden is a tree. On the outside the tree is “fair” with leaves and new growth. But on the inside it is rotten and decayed. Mercy asks the Interpreter: “What does this mean?”

The Interpreter explains that the tree represents many “that are in the garden of God.” There are many in the church “who, with their mouths, speak high in behalf of God, but indeed will do nothing for Him.” Their hearts remain unchanged, “good for nothing but to be tinder for the devil’s tinderbox.” Jesus, quoting Isaiah 29:13, calls them out as hypocrites.

Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
“These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.”
(Matthew 15:7–8)

On the outside the tree looks fair with promising growth. But on the inside it is rotten and filled with decay.

Continue Reading Notes and Commentary

The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress is public domain.

Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2024 Ken Puls

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from 
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Return to A Guide to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2

Proverbs before Supper

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November 21, 2023

6:33 am

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Bible opened to Proverbs and a cup of coffee

So when they were come again into the house and supper as yet was not ready, Christiana again desired that the Interpreter would either show or tell of some other things that are profitable.

Then the Interpreter began, and said, “The fatter the sow is, the more she desires the mire; the fatter the ox is, the more gamesomely he goes to the slaughter; and the more healthy the lusty man is, the more prone he is unto evil.

“There is a desire in women to go neat and fine; and it’s a comely thing to be adorned with that which in God’s sight is of great price.

“‘Tis easier watching a night or two, than to sit up a whole year together: so ’tis easier for one to begin to profess well, than to hold out as he should to the end.

“Every shipmaster, when in a storm, will willingly cast that overboard that is of the smallest value in the vessel. But who will throw the best out first? none but he that fears not God.

“One leak will sink a ship: and one sin will destroy a sinner.

“He that forgets his friend, is ungrateful unto him: but he that forgets his Savior, is unmerciful to himself.

“He that lives in sin, and looks for happiness hereafter, is like him that sows cockle, and thinks to fill his barn with wheat or barley.

“If a man would live well, let him fetch his last day to him, and make it always his company keeper.

“Whispering and change of thoughts, prove that sin is in the world.

“If the world, which God sets light by, is counted a thing of that worth with men; what is heaven, which God commends!

“If the life that is attended with so many troubles is so loath to be let go by us, what is the life above!

“Everybody will cry up the goodness of men; but who is there that is, as he should be, affected with the goodness of God?

“We seldom sit down to meat, but we eat and leave; so there is in Jesus Christ more merit and righteousness than the whole world has need of.”

Notes and Commentary

The House of the Interpreter represents the Word of God as it interpreted and made profitable for us by the Holy Spirit. As the pilgrims return to the house, Bunyan again emphasizes the value of God’s Word and the priority it should have in our lives. The pilgrims have arrived hungry and in need of nourishment to continue on their journey. Supper is being prepared, but before they sit down for a meal together, they desire first to feed their souls. Christiana demonstrates once again that her hunger is for the Word of God. Earlier she had asked of the Interpreter, “pray let us see some more.” Now she is eager to keep learning.

Continue Reading Notes and Commentary

The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress is public domain.

Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2023 Ken Puls

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from 
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Return to A Guide to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2

A Robin and a Spider

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October 31, 2023

6:33 am

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A Robin on a Fence

Then, as they were coming in from abroad, they espied a little robin with a great spider in his mouth. So the Interpreter said, “Look here.” So they looked; and Mercy wondered. But Christiana said, “What a disparagement is it to such a pretty little bird as the robin redbreast is; he being also a bird above many, that loves to maintain a kind of sociableness with man! I had thought they had lived upon crumbs of bread, or upon other such harmless matter. I like him worse than I did.”

The Interpreter then replied, “This robin is an emblem very apt to set forth some professors by; for to sight they are as this robin, pretty of note, color, and carriage; they seem also to have a very great love for professors that are sincere; and above all other, to desire to sociate with and to be in their company, as if they could live upon the good man’s crumbs. They pretend also, that therefore it is that they frequent the house of the godly, and the appointments of the Lord; but when they are by themselves as the robin, they can catch and gobble up spiders, they can change their diet, drink iniquity, and swallow down sin like water.”

Notes and Commentary

Before returning to the house for supper, the Interpreter draws another spiritual lesson from nature. The pilgrims see “a little robin with a great spider in his mouth.” They are familiar with robins. Its recognizable color is a welcome sight and its cheerful song is a delight to hear. Robins are beloved and associated with happiness and glad tidings. The sighting of a robin is often believed to be a sign of the passing of winter and the arrival of spring. Robins are friendly, willing to be around people and feed on bread crumbs. 

Yet here the pilgrims see the robin’s true nature. While it can easily feed on berries and bread crumbs, its diet is more instinctively insects, worms, spiders, and even small snakes. Christiana is taken aback to see such a beautiful, sociable bird feasting on such a meal!

Continue reading Notes and Commentary

The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress is public domain.

Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2023 Ken Puls

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from 
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Return to A Guide to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2

The Interpreter’s Field

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October 3, 2023

6:33 am

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A field of stalks and straw

Again, he had them into his field, which he had sowed with wheat and corn; but when they beheld, the tops of all were cut off, only the straw remained. He said again, “This ground was dunged, and ploughed, and sowed; but what shall we do with the crop?” Then said Christiana, “Burn some, and make muck of the rest.” Then said the Interpreter again, “Fruit you see, is that thing you look for; and for want of that you condemn it to the fire, and to be trodden under foot of men. Beware that in this you condemn not yourselves.”

Notes and Commentary

The Interpreter then shows the pilgrims his field. The field is in sharp contrast to the garden. Whereas the garden is lush and vibrant, the field is dry and barren. Though the ground was at one time well prepared and sown with good seed, all that remains are stalks and chaff. Like the garden, the field is another representation of a church. But this is a church that has imbibed the world and lost its spiritual vitality. Though it once may have born fruit and produced a harvest, now it stands dry and dead.

Continue Reading Notes and Commentary

The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress is public domain.

Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2023 Ken Puls

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from 
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Return to A Guide to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2

The Interpreter’s Garden

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September 28, 2023

6:33 am

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The Interpreter with Christiana, Mercy, and the children in the garden

After this, he led them into his garden, where was great variety of flowers. And he said, “Do you see all these?” So Christiana said, “Yes.” Then said he again, “Behold the flowers are diverse in stature, in quality, in color, and smell, and virtue, and some are better than others. Also, where the gardener has set them, there they stand; and quarrel not one with another.”

Notes and Commentary

For the next lesson, the Interpreter leads the pilgrims into his garden. There they see a “great variety of flowers.” This imagery comes from Song of Solomon 4 where the Beloved sings a love song to his bride. In verse 4 he compares her beauty to an “enclosed” (protected and nurtured) garden.

A garden enclosed
Is my sister, my spouse,
A spring shut up,
A fountain sealed.
Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates
With pleasant fruits,
Fragrant henna with spikenard,
Spikenard and saffron,
Calamus and cinnamon,
With all trees of frankincense,
Myrrh and aloes,
With all the chief spices—
A fountain of gardens,
A well of living waters,
And streams from Lebanon.
(Song of Solomon 4:12–15)

Many commentators have recognized the parallel in the Song of Solomon between the Beloved’s love for his bride and Christ’s love for His church. Bunyan uses this imagery here in his allegory. The Garden represents the local church. The “great variety of flowers” signifies Christians, individual members of each church. Christ is the Gardener, and it is He who places each flower where He wills.

Continue Reading Notes and Commentary

The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress is public domain.

Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2023 Ken Puls

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from 
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Return to A Guide to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2

Sheep for the Slaughter

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July 27, 2023

6:33 am

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Lamb

So he had them into the slaughter house, where a butcher was killing a sheep. And behold the sheep was quiet, and took her death patiently. Then said the Interpreter, “You must learn of this sheep to suffer and to put up wrongs without murmurings and complaints. Behold how quietly she takes her death; and without objecting, she suffers her skin to be pulled over her ears. Your King doth call you his sheep.”

Notes and Commentary

The Interpreter continues to instruct the pilgrims by taking them into the slaughter house. There they saw a sheep being butchered, yet “the sheep was quiet, and took her death patiently.” The sheep signifies several important truths from God’s Word.

1. The sheep signifies Christ.

Jesus came to suffer and die for His people, “to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). He is the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). When Isaiah prophecies of Christ’s crucifixion in the Old Testament, he compares Christ to a lamb being led to the slaughter. He faced His suffering willingly, without murmurings or complaints. He was oppressed, afflicted, and stricken, “yet He opened not His mouth.”

He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment,
And who will declare His generation?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
(Isaiah 53:7–8)

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The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress is public domain.
Image above created from Unsplash

Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2023 Ken Puls

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from 
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Return to A Guide to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2

A Hen and Her Chicks

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June 29, 2023

6:33 am

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A Hen and Her Chicks

He had them then into another room where was a hen and chickens, and bid them to observe awhile. So one of the chickens went to the trough to drink; and every time she drank, she lifted up her head and her eyes towards heaven. “See,” said he, “what this little chick doth; and learn of her to acknowledge whence your mercies come, by receiving them with looking up. Yet again, said he, “observe and look.” So they gave heed, and perceived that the hen did walk in a fourfold method towards her chickens. 

1. She had a common call; and that she has all day long.

2. She had a special call; and that she had but sometimes.

3. She had a brooding note.

And, 4. She had an outcry. 

Interpreter: “Now,” said he, “compare this hen to your King, and these chickens to his obedient ones. For answerable to her, himself has his methods, which he walks in towards his people. By his common call, he gives nothing; by his special call, he always has something to give; he has also a brooding voice for them that are under his wing; and he has an outcry, to give the alarm when he sees the enemy come. I choose, my darlings, to lead you into the room where such things are, because you are women, and they are easy for you.”

Christiana: “And, sir,” said Christiana, “pray let us see some more.”

Notes and Commentary

Now the Interpreter shows the pilgrims a room in which they see a hen and her chicks. They watch awhile and observe how the hen calls and cares for her brood. Unlike the previous room, where the meaning of the lesson was not immediately apparent, this room offers a lesson that is “easy” for the pilgrims to understand. Christiana is a mother with children of her own. Mercy has joined the family to help them on the journey. They readily understand the need for watchfulness, nurture, and care.

The room with the hen and her chicks teaches us how God sends forth His mercies as well as how we are to receive His mercies. God’s mercies come to us through His Word—His written Word (the Scriptures) and the incarnate Word (the Lord Jesus, to whom the written Word points as the only Way of salvation).

Continue Reading Notes and Commentary

The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress is public domain.
Image above created from Unsplash

Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2023 Ken Puls

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from 
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Return to A Guide to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2