Guide to The Pilgrim's Progress Part Two

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.

God draws people to Himself in various ways and at various times. Some are rescued in the midst of deep sorrows and disappointments, others while in seasons of joy and blessing. Some are saved late in life, after many wasted years; others are saved early, with many years before them for ministry and doing good.

Mercy has a testimony to add to God’s praise, and so the Interpreter encourages her:

Do not be afraid
Only believe
Speak your mind

Do not be afraid. We should never be afraid to acknowledge the grace and kindness of God in our lives, as if it is somehow insufficient or too modest. We may be weak and insignificant, but God is glorious. His works, however small they may seem through the prism of our unassuming lives, are worthy of praise and thanksgiving.

Only believe. We should never doubt the grace and kindness of God in our lives. He is at work even when we don’t see much progress. He is with us even when we fail to recognize His presence. We must believe His Word and stand upon His promises. Even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Even one with Little-faith can look to Christ and journey to eternal rewards in heaven.

Speak your mind. We should never keep silent when we see the grace and kindness of God in our lives. It is true for every believer: our God is always at work in us and around us. Whenever and wherever see God at work, we should speak our mind—that is, we should speak with the measure of understanding God has granted us, and in the best light He has shown us. Some will have greater understanding or more eloquent praise. Others may struggle to find words. But we can all add our voice and declare:

The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad.
(Psalm 126:3)

With the Interpreter’s encouragement, Mercy describes how God began to work in her faith and repentance. Her meeting with Christiana was providential. She and Mrs. Timorous “accidentally” stopped to visit. They at first did not intend to go. But at Christiana’s house they were surprised to hear that Christiana had changed her mind and now intended to follow after Christian and find the Way to the Celestial City. As Christiana spoke of her dreams and of the invitation she received to journey to the Celestial City, Mercy grew convinced of the truth. Her heart stirred with joy at the thought of accompanying Christiana to attain such glory. But this joy was tempered. In Mercy, there was also compassion and sorrow that they would leave behind so many in Destruction.

As with Christiana, the Interpreter confirms the validity of Mercy’s testimony. She is indeed a true pilgrim. The Interpreter tells her, “your setting out is good, for you have given credit to the truth.” This credit is not just in what she has said. She has made a good profession. It is rather in what she has done. She not only believed the truth when Christiana spoke of eternal realities, she committed her life to the truth. She left the City of Destruction and traveled with Christiana to the Wicket Gate and then on to the House of the Interpreter. She demonstrated true faith not by words only, but by her life and in her actions.

The Interpreter compares Mercy to Ruth in the Old Testament. Mercy’s thoughts had echoed Ruth when she first heard Christiana speak of the Celestial City when they were still in the City of Destruction. She had said to herself, “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.”

In the Old Testament, Naomi made plans to return to Israel from Moab after her husband and two sons died. Ruth, one of her daughters-in-law, desired to go with her and pled with her:

“Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.
Where you die, I will die,
And there will I be buried.
The Lord do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me.”
(Ruth 1:16–17).

In Israel, Ruth was welcomed. Though she did not know if she would be accepted, the Lord provided for her redemption. Her faithfulness was rewarded and she found favor with Boaz. The Interpreter quotes Boaz’s words:

And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge” (Ruth 2:11–12).

After supper the pilgrims rest. It is here in the House of the Interpreter that Mercy, as she rests her hope on the sure promises of God in His Word, finds peace and joy. This is a lesson we should heed. In times when we are hesitant and uncertain, when we find little that would commend us to God, we must not dwell on our fears and doubts, but look to Christ. Our confidence is not in ourselves: Does my experience measure up? Have I done enough? Rather, our confidence is in Him: Am I trusting Christ? Am I clinging to the “exceedingly great and precious promises” that are ours in Him (2 Peter 1:4).

Continue Reading 37. Washed and Cleansed

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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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