A Guide to John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress

Notes and Commentary

by Ken Puls

on John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress

Part Two

Christiana visted by Secret

7. Visited by Secret

Next morning, when she was up, and had prayed to God, and talked with her children awhile, one knocked hard at the door; to whom she spoke out saying, “If you come in God's name, come in.” So he said, “Amen,” and opened the door, and saluted her with, “Peace be to this house!” The which when he had done, he said, “Christiana, do you know why I am come?' Then she blushed and trembled; also her heart began to wax warm with desires to know whence he came, and what was his errand to her. So he said unto her, “My name is Secret. I dwell with those that are high. It is talked of where I dwell as if you have a desire to go thither; also there is a report that you are aware of the evil you have formerly done to your husband in hardening of your heart against his way, and in keeping of these your babes in their ignorance. Christiana, the merciful One has sent me to tell you that He is a God ready to forgive; and that He takes delight to multiply pardon to offenses. He also would have you know that he invites you to come into His presence; to His table; and that He will feed you with the fat of his house, and with the heritage of Jacob your father.”

“There is Christian, your husband that was, with legions more, his companions, ever beholding that face that does minister life to beholders; and they will all be glad when they shall hear the sound of your feet step over your Father's threshold.”

Christiana at this was greatly abashed in herself; and bowed her head to the ground, this visitor proceeded, and said, “Christiana, here is also a letter for you, which I have brought from your husband's King.” So she took it and opened it; but it smelt after the manner of the best perfume. Also it was written in letters of gold. The contents of the letter was, That the King would have her do as did Christian her husband; for that was the way to come to His City, and to dwell in His presence with joy for ever. At this the good woman was quite overcome. So she cried out to her visitor. “Sir, will you carry me and my children with you, that we also may go and worship this King?”

Then said the visitor, “Christiana! the bitter is before the sweet. You must through troubles, as did he that went before you, enter this Celestial City. Wherefore I advise you to do as did Christian your husband. Go to the wicket gate yonder, over the plain, for that stands in the head of the way up which you must go; and I wish you all good speed. Also I advise that you put this letter in your bosom. That you read therein to yourself and to your children, until you have got it by heart. For it is one of the songs that you must sing while you are in this house of your pilgrimage. Also this you must deliver in at the further gate.”

 

Notes and Commentary

Upon awakening, Christiana begins the morning in prayer. She knows it will take divine strength and courage if she is to embark on a pilgrimage and leave the only life she has ever known. She then tries to comfort her children, who had heard her distress in the night as she dreamed. Christiana’s dreams bring to mind many grave concerns. Either choice, staying or going, is fraught with danger. She faces the danger of condemnation if she chooses to stay in Destruction. Yet she she faces perils of opposition and persecution if she chooses to leave and set out for the Celestial City. But her dreams also lift her thoughts to joy and reward at the journey’s end.

Now she hears “one knock hard at the door.” It is a summons she cannot ignore. The visitor offers the greeting of one sent out the by the Lord of the Harvest to labor in the field:

But whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house” (Luke 10:5).

But this visitor has come down from on high, from the very courts of the Celestial City (heaven) where Christian now dwells in the presence of his King. Christiana feared that she had “sinned away” her husband and could not attain this “place of bliss.” But now she receives glorious news from the King:

that He is a God ready to forgive; and that He takes delight to multiply pardon to offenses. He also would have you know that he invites you to come into His presence; to His table; and that He will feed you with the fat of his house, and with the heritage of Jacob your father.

The visitor tells her that his name is Secret. Secret represents the hidden work of the Spirit in the heart, stirring and awakening the soul to fear the Lord. His name comes from Psalm 25:

Who is the man that fears the Lord?
Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.
He himself shall dwell in prosperity,
And his descendants shall inherit the earth.
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,
And He will show them His covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
(Psalm 25:12–15)

It is the Spirit who gives life and turns our eyes to seek the Lord. It is the Spirit who helps us understand “the deep things of God” revealed in His Word. It is the Spirit who makes us wise to salvation.

But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:9–10).

Secret presents Christiana with a letter. The letter is a summons from the King to come to the Celestial City and “dwell in His presence with joy for ever.” The words are written in gold to assure the King’s promise. The letter “smelt after the manner of the best perfume” to assure the King’s love.

Because of the fragrance of your good ointments,
Your name is ointment poured forth;
Therefore the virgins love you.
(Song of Solomon 1:3)

The letter represents the invitation of the Gospel, made effectual by the Spirit. As Christiana reads the letter, she realizes that the King’s words are meant for her. “The King would have her do as did Christian her husband; for that was the way to come to His City, and to dwell in His presence with joy for ever.”

Christiana is to keep the letter close to her heart (treasure it). She is to read it often (to find comfort and take courage on her journey) and read it to her children (to speak of her faith and point them to Christ). She is to learn it well and sing it aloud as a song of joy on her pilgrimage.

Your statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
(Psalm 119:54)

Christiana’s letter is evidence of her faith in Christ Jesus sealed by the work of the Spirit. As with Christian’s Roll in Part 1, it testifies to her “acceptance at the desired haven.” At her journey’s end, she must deliver the letter to gain entrance to the Gate of the Celestial City.

After reading the letter, Christiana is “quite overcome.” She is confident now in her love for the King and her desire to worship Him. She is ready to go at once and asks Secret, “Sir, will you carry me and my children with you, that we also may go and worship this King?” But Secret tells her, “Christiana! the bitter is before the sweet.” In other words, the pathway to joy and salvation will involve trials and suffering in this life. It is through trials and suffering that we learn to trust in God and rest in Him. By His gracious design, He uses every pain and sorrow we experience to weans us from this sinful, fallen world (the City of Destruction) and draws us to Himself. The difficulties of this life serve to strengthen our faith, fortify our hope, and lift our eyes to glory.

Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high,
You who have done great things;
O God, who is like You?
You, who have shown me great and severe troubles,
Shall revive me again,
And bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
You shall increase my greatness,
And comfort me on every side.
(Psalm 71:19–21)

Christiana will indeed enter the gates of the Celestial City. Her King has decreed it. But she must first go to the Wicket Gate and enter “through troubles” as Christian did before her.

Continue reading 08. Christiana Prepares for Her Journey

Return to 06. Christiana's Dreams

 

The text for The Pilgrim's Progress
and images used are public domain
Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2021 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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