Guide to The Pilgrim's Progress Part Two

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?

When her husband, Christian, fled from Destruction, she grieved. But grief could not change her hard heart. When she thought about the trials Christian was facing and the grief she had brought to Christian in the way she treated him, she was filled with guilt. But guilt could not change her heart.

What finally caused her to change was a dream and a letter.

First she points to a dream. Earlier in the story Christiana had several dreams that represent her inner struggles and distress. Her eyes were opened to the reality of the coming judgment and the present spiritual battle with its dangers and threats to her soul. But in her final dream, her gaze is lifted to heaven where she sees Christ on the throne, ruling and reigning over all. And among those worshipping Christ and giving Him praise, she see Christian, her husband. Christiana is confident that the King has brought Christian safely to the Celestial City to attain his reward. Knowing that he completed his journey and that his trials were not in vain, shines hope for Christiana.

Christiana was then visited by Secret who gave her a letter from the King. Secret confirmed and assured her hope. The letter is the promise of forgiveness and an invitation from the King to make the journey to the Celestial City. It is God’s Word beckoning her to flee from sin and come to Christ. Secret represents the inner working of the Spirit of God, as He convicts us, illumines God’s Word, and points us to Christ. Human reason and passion could not persuade Christiana, but God’s Word, illuminated by God’s Spirit, prevailed to change her heart.

Christiana’s testimony in the House of the Interpreter emphasizes the impact of God’s Word on her life. She was grieving and then overtaken with guilt. She would have drowned in despondency but for God’s Word. She read her King’s invitation in his letter. She read and believed the gospel, the good news of salvation. It is the promise of the gospel (the letter) made effectual by the work of the Spirit (Secret) that caused Christiana to become a pilgrim.

The Interpreter then asks Christiana if she has faced opposition along the Way. Christiana affirms that she has met with much opposition. Before she even left her home in Destruction, well-meaning neighbors sought to dissuade her. Mrs. Timorous tried to enliven fears of such a dangerous journey and advised her to stay at home. Christiana had fearful dreams of enemies of her soul that continue to trouble her. Along the Way she and Mercy were assaulted by “two ill-looking ones” who meant them harm. To this could be added other terrors and temptations. They were frightened by a barking dog near the Wicket Gate. They were allured by overhanging fruit from Beelzebub’s garden. The pilgrims have just begun their journey, yet they have already faced much opposition.

Though Christiana laments of her trials and troubles along the way, the Interpreter does not respond with condolence or commiseration. Rather, he confirms the message she received from Secret. Secret had told her, “Christiana! the bitter is before the sweet.” Following Christ will include trials and troubles. It will attract the opposition of the world. But there is great reward at the end!

Christiana sang of this when she rejoiced upon entering the Wicket Gate:

Our tears to joy, our fears to faith,
Are turned, as we see:
Thus our beginning (as one saith)
Shows what our end will be.

She has entered the Gate and is now a pilgrim in the Way. She knows that the King safely brought Christian to the end of his journey. And she is confident that He will do so again!

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

Here in the House of the Interpreter, Christiana’s testimony is confirmed by the Spirit and the Word. Her journey thus far bears the marks of a true pilgrim. A true pilgrim will not remain in Destruction, but will seek the Celestial City. And a true pilgrim will face opposition from the world. The Interpreter tells her: “Your beginning is good; your latter end shall greatly increase.”

She has made a good start. Even in the face of tears, terrors, and trials, she has pressed on, determined to reach the end. She holds to the promise that her “latter end shall greatly increase.” Certainly the pilgrims will face more difficulties and opposition. But every trial and trouble serves to increase their faith and bring them closer to glory. On the journey ahead they must trust in God and remember the wisdom and warnings of His Word.

Continue Reading 36. Mercy's Testimony

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The text for The Pilgrim's Progress
and images used are public domain
Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2021–2024 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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