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: 'Now as Christian went on his way he came to a little ascent, which was cast up on purpose that pilgrims might see before them: up therefore Christian went, and looking forward he saw faithful before him, upon his journey...'
My notes and thoughts
Today Christian fights Apollyon and journeys through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
I noticed that Satan's last question to Christian concerned Christian's prior unfaithfulness on the journey: 'Thou hast already been unfaithful in thy service to him, and how dost thou think to receive wages of him?' One of Satan's last attacks is to remind us of the sins we have committed since becoming the Lord's with the purpose of causing us to doubt Jesus' ongoing forgiveness. Christian's answer is a good one: 'All this is true, and much more, which thou hast left out; but the Prince whom I serve and honour is merciful and ready to forgive.' I love that - remind Satan that we are worse sinners than even he is making out!
In the middle of the journey through the Valley of the Shadow of Death we have a brief three point sermon on Psalm 23:4 'Though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear none ill, for thou art with me.' Christian was glad because (i) 'some who feared God were in this Valley as well as himself'; (ii) 'God was with them'; (iii) 'he hoped (could he overtake them) to have company by and by'.
Interesting description of the giant called Pope at the end: 'though he be yet alive he is by reason of age, and also fo the many shrewd brushes that he met with in his younger days, grown so crazy and stiff in his joints that he can now do little more than sit in his cave's mouth, grinning at pilgrims as they go by, and biting his nails, because he cannot come at them.'
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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