Season 5 Podcast 49 John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Episode 12 Chapter 3 D, “The Palace.”

A New Voice of Freedom

Season 5 Podcast 49 John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Episode 12 Chapter 3 D, “The Palace.”

In last week’s episode, Christian, while climbing the Hill of Difficulty, met Timorous and Mistrust who have given up their quest midway up the Hill of Difficulty because they saw two sleeping lions in the path. In their horror they didn’t recognized that the lions were chained. They go down the hill, but the indomitable Christian continues his journey. Having lost the scroll, Christian had to go back to the Arbor to retrieve it, delaying his journey up the Hill of Difficulty until it became dark. Not only must he face the lions, but he must also face them in the dark. Still he continues. He comes to a stately palace where he is met by the two lions. He wants to flee; however, a Porter whose name is Watchful greets Christian and invites him into the Palace, assuring him that the lions are safely chained.

Christian’s courage and his faithfulness sets him apart from the other pilgrims. Christian is faced with the same dangers and fears; however, he perseveres.

“Then I saw that he went on trembling for fear of the lions; but, taking good heed to the words of the Porter, he heard them roar, but they did him no harm. Then he clapped his hands, and went on till he came and stood before the gate where the Porter was. Then said Christian to the Porter, "Sir, what house is this? and may I lodge here to-night?"

Clearly Bunyan wants every Christian to use Christian as their model. Bunyan accepts the fact that the journey is very perilous for not all lions are chained; however, Bunyan makes it clear that the worst obstacle is fear.

“The Porter answered, "This house was built by the Lord of the hill, and He built it for the relief and security of pilgrims." The Porter also asked whence he was, and whither he was going.”

The question is not an idle question. Only Christian can answer it. The underlying idea is that every Christian must define his journey and his purpose, and he must offer proof of his legitimacy. Only then can people such as Evangelist recognize the true Christian vs the false Christian. So far on the Journey Christian has been assisted by Evangelist, Help, Goodwill, The Interpreter, The Shining Ones, and now Watchful. However, he has been hindered by Obstinate, Pliable, Worldly Wiseman, Mr. Legality, Civility, Man of despair, Simple, Sloth, Presumption, Formalist, Hypocrisy, Timorous, and Mistrust. They symbolize the natural man, and the natural man is at enmity with God. Remember that the Shining ones gave Christian recognizable objects that he may be allowed into the city. There are many, such as Formalist and Hypocrisy who try to take a shortcut.

Chris. I am come from the City of Destruction, and am going to Mount Zion; but, because the sun is now set, I desire, if I may, to lodge here to-night.

Port. What is your name?

Chris. My name is now Christian, but my name at the first was Graceless.

Before leaving on his pilgrimage, Christian was in a graceless state. To find Grace he had make the difficult way to the cross where he laid his burden down, symbolically at the feet of Christ. However, his journey did not end at the cross. It really began at the cross.

Port. But how doth it happen that you come so late? The sun is set.

Chris. I had been here sooner, but that, wretched man that I am, I slept in the arbor that stands on the hill-side. Nay, I had, notwithstanding that, been here much sooner, but that in my sleep I lost my roll, and came without it to the brow of the hill; and then, feeling for it and finding it not, I was forced with sorrow of heart to go back to the place where I slept my sleep, where I found it; and now I am come.