Pilgrim's progress - Bunyan - V

Required reading 
Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Up to the paragraph that begins: 'So he went on, and Apollyon met him; now the monster was hideous to behold, he was clothed with scales like a fish...'

My notes and thoughts
Today's reading is basically Christian at the porter's house.  He enters it after realising that the lions outside are chained and so as long as he 'keep in the midst of the path, and no hurt shall come unto thee.'  Then follows a time of questioning and instruction at the House with four girls at the place: Discretion, Prudence, Piety and Charity. 

Interestingly, amongst the questions there was a particular concern for Christian's family and Christian is encouraged that his witness to them 'hast delivered thy soul from their blood.'  I think that we need to take the warning of Ezekiel that Bunyan is picking up on here more seriously than we tend to do.  We have a tremendous responsibility to those non-Christians surrounding us - if we don't warn them we are guilty of their blood.

Also, along with his instruction Christian is kitted up with the armour of God which actually later leads him to not turn his back and flee from Apollyon at the end of today's reading: 'Then did Christian begin to be afraid, and to cast in his mind whether to go back, or to stand his ground.  But he considered again that he had no armour for his back and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give him greater advantage with ease to pierce him with his darts; therefore he resolved to venture and stand his ground.'  Great point, there is no God given protection for cowards.  Let the darts bounce off your breastplate, not sink into your back!

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.