Guide to The Pilgrim's Progress Part Two - Refreshment at the Arbor

Then they set forward, and began to go up the hill, and up the hill they went; but before they got to the top, Christiana began to pant; and said, I dare say, this is a breathing hill. No marvel if they that love their ease more than their souls, choose to themselves a smoother way. Then said Mercy, I must sit down; also the least of the children began to cry. Come, come, said Great-heart, sit not down here, for a little above is the Prince's arbor. Then took he the little boy by the hand, and led him up thereto.

When they were come to the arbor, they were very willing to sit down, for they were all in a pelting heat. Then said Mercy, How sweet is rest to them that labor. And how good is the Prince of pilgrims, to provide such resting-places for them! Of this arbor I have heard much; but I never saw it before. But here let us beware of sleeping; for, as I have heard, for that it cost poor Christian dear.

Then said Mr. Great-heart to the little ones, Come, my fine boys, how do you do? What think you now of going on pilgrimage? Sir, said the least, I was almost beat out of heart? but I thank you for lending me a hand at my need. And I remember now what my mother has told me, namely, that the way to Heaven is as up a ladder, and the way to hell is as down a hill. But I had rather go up the ladder to life, than down the hill to death.

Then said Mercy, But the proverb is, To go down the hill is easy. But James said (for that was his name), The day is coming, when, in my opinion, going down hill will be the hardest of all. 'Tis a good boy, said his Master, you have given her a right answer. Then Mercy smiled; but the little boy did blush.

Christiana: Come, said Christiana, will you eat a bit, a little to sweeten your mouths, while you sit here to rest your legs? For I have here a piece of pomegranate, which Mr. Interpreter put in my hand, just when I came out of His doors. He gave me also a piece of a honeycomb, and a little bottle of spirits. I thought He gave you something, said Mercy, because He called you aside. Yes; so He did, said the other. But, said Christiana, it shall still be, as I said it should, when at first we came from home, you shall be a sharer in all the good that I have, because you so willingly did become my companion. Then she gave to them, and they did eat, both Mercy and the boys. And, said Christiana to Mr. Great-heart, Sir, will you do as we? But he answered, You are going on pilgrimage, and presently I shall return. Much good may what you have do to you. At home I eat the same every day.

Notes and Commentary

The pilgrims have avoided the by-ways of Danger and Destruction, but now they must climb Hill Difficulty. As in Part 1 of Bunyan’s allegory, Hill Difficulty represents the trials and difficulties of this life that we must face on our way to glory. These are not trials that come upon us because we have turned back or strayed from the Way. Rather, they are difficulties that rise up in the Way because we are walking by faith in a world that is dark and fallen in sin. These are trials that test our faith, trails that would tempt us to doubt God’s goodness, and trials that could discourage us and weigh us down with doubt and unbelief.

Facing trials in this life is wearisome. We can easily feel overwhelmed. As Christiana climbs the hill, she is soon out of breath. Mercy and the children also struggle and need to stop and rest. But Great-Heart cautions them. Though the way is difficult and we long for relief, we must only find rest where God has provided.

Great-heart directs the pilgrims to the Prince’s arbor. Here they can safely rest and renew their strength for the journey. The Arbor represents sounds application of God’s Word. It is a Word of Grace drawn from Scripture that supplies courage and comfort to face our present trials. It is in God’s Word alone that we can find true rest and refreshment for the soul. The world would have us turn back, give up, or at least try to forget our difficulties by masking them with sedatives or amusements. But we must not look to our own devices or our own understanding to cope or make sense of trials. God’s Word offers hope and encourages us to press on. It is through trials and suffering that God often works, enlivening our faith and drawing us closer to Himself.

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;
He is their strength in the time of trouble.
(Psalm 37:39)

As the pilgrims make their way to the Arbor, Great-Heart guides not just Christiana and Mercy, but the children as well. He takes James, the youngest, and leads “the little boy by the hand.” Christiana’s children have professed faith and are pilgrims together with their mother and Mercy. Great-Heart instructs them and impresses on them the value of the pilgrimage, even when it is hard. He asks the boys what they have observed thus far on their journey. James recalls his mother teaching him that the way to heaven is like climbing a ladder, but the way to hell is like going downhill. Mercy comments that going down a hill is easy. James wisely answers: it seems easy at first—coasting downwards while others struggle to climb—but in the end it “will be hardest of all.” Giving in to sin and sloth may seem the easy way, but this way ends in judgment and condemnation.

There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
(Proverbs 16:25)

Downward leads back to the paths of Danger and Destruction, and ultimately to death. Upward leads to glory.

Christiana offers refreshments to the group that she received at the House of the Interpreter. The pieces of pomegranate and honeycomb are a foretaste of the Promised Land.

Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey (Deuteronomy 8:6–8).

They represent the sweetness of God’s Word.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.
(Psalm 19:7–11)

How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
(Psalm 119:103)

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
(Proverbs 16:24)

My son, eat honey because it is good,
And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul;
If you have found it, there is a prospect,
And your hope will not be cut off.
(Proverbs 23:13–14)

The bottle of spirits represents the reviving and invigorating power of God’s Word as it is applied by His Spirit.

He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
(Psalm 23:3)

Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.
Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake!
For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
(Psalm 143:10–11)

My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
(Psalm 119:25)

Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.
The entirety of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
(Psalm 119:159–160)

Christiana, Mercy, and the children are still early in their journey to the Celestial City. They are just now learning the many precious promises that will sustain them along the way and strengthen them when the way grows hard.

Great-heart is a gospel minister. He has come alongside the pilgrims to guide them and keep them from straying and stumbling. He has led them to the arbor where they rest and savor the sweetness of God’s Word.

Great-heart assures Christiana that “much good” will come from the nourishment they enjoy. Christiana asks him, “Sir, will you do as we?” In other words, don’t you need refreshment as well? The answer of course is yes! Though Great-heart is their guide and protector, he certainly has need of the same nourishment and strength that God’s Word alone can provide. But Great-heart has already feasted on the Word and strengthened himself for the journey.. The promises that are new to Christiana are Great-heart’s daily bread. He assures the pilgrims, “at home I eat the same everyday.”

Great-heart’s example is a lesson for us as we journey to the Celestial City. Stay nourished and refreshed in God’s Word. Don’t wait until you find yourself winded in the midst of climbing a steep trial. God has abundantly provided for our spiritual strength and well-being. Meditate on His Word every day. Grow strong in the faith and stay fit for the journey.

Return to 44. The By-Ways of Danger and Destruction

The text for The Pilgrim's Progress
and images used are public domain
Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2021–2026 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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