Next, he showed them the two by-ways that were at the foot of the hill, where Formality and Hypocrisy lost themselves. And, said he, these are dangerous paths. Two were here cast away when Christian came by. And although, as you see, these ways are since stopped up with chains, posts, and a ditch, yet there are that will choose to adventure here, rather than take the pains to go up this hill.
Christiana: “The way of transgressors is hard.” It is a wonder that they can get into those ways without danger of breaking their necks.
Great-Heart: They will venture. Yea, if at any time any of the King’s servants do happen to see them, and do call unto them, and tell them that they are in the wrong ways, and do bid them beware the danger, then they will railingly return them answer, and say, “As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee; but we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth,” etc. Nay, if you look a little further, you shall see that these ways are made cautionary enough, not only by these posts, and ditch, and chain; but also by being hedged up, yet they will choose to go there.
Christiana: They are idle; they love not to take pains; uphill way is unpleasant to them. So it is fulfilled unto them as it is written, “The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of thorns.” Yea, they will rather choose to walk upon a snare, than to go up this hill, and the rest of this way to the city.
Notes and Commentary
Now that the Pilgrims are refreshed by the Spring, they are better prepared to discern and avoid danger. Difficult trials are ahead, looming in their path, and it will be tempting to shrink back or seek a way around them.
Soon they will ascend Hill Difficulty. The hill represents the struggles we face in this life, especially as we follow Christ and walk in obedience to His Word. God has ordained that we face trials. They are unavoidable as we battle against sin—sin in our own hearts as well as sin in this world. They are unavoidable as we journey through a world opposed to God and in rebellion to His Word. Ascending the hill will be difficult, but at its base are more perilous pathways.
Continue Reading Notes and Commentary
The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress is public domain.
Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2026 Ken Puls
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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