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Christian Pilgrimage Christian? s Pilgrimage A pilgrimage is a journey that one takes to a land of special significance for self-discovery. Yet in The Pilgrim? s Progress, Christian?
s expedition would have been cut short had it not been for those few who decided to aid him along the way. The moment he begins his journey, Evangelist greeted him and directed, then encouraged him towards the Celestial City. As he continued, he met Prudence, Piety and Charity, who provided him with some necessities that he would need for his continued travel. Finally, Christian, along with Hopeful, arrived at to the land of the shepherds. Here, they were both told of? secrets?
that would guide them on their way to the Celestial City. Thus, John Bunyan shows that although Christian? s pilgrimage is an individual voyage for his own satisfaction, it? s success could not have been possible without the assistance of others. Christian? s entire travel is a dream of the author?
s, John Bunyan. As the dream begins, a man is wandering, confused and frustrated. Evangelist approached this man, drawn to him by his cries and asks him, ? Wherefore dost thou cry? (12)?
The man, Christian, responded, ? Sir, I perceive by the book in my hand, that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgment; and I find that I am not willing to do the first, nor able to do the second? (12). The book he refers to is the Bible, whose words cause him to fear death and hell. He feels as though he is not? fit? for hell, but because he had not lived a perfectly virtuous life according to?
the book? , he knows that he will not be able to enter heaven. Evangelist gives him a roll, that tells him to? flee from the wrath to come? (12). He tells Christian to flee towards the? wicket-gate? at which he will be told what to do.
This direction that Evangelist gave to him, seemed to relieve Christian of his burden, for he truly believed that where he was going, would help him to not fear the death that he would face at some point. Thus, Christian set off on his adventure towards the wicket-gate, and then towards the Celestial City. Yet before he could arrive at the gate, he met a man who turned him away from the path that Evangelist had told him to take there. Lost, and confused, Christian encountered Evangelist again. ? Art not thou the man that I found crying without the walls of the City of Destruction? (21)? Evangelist wondered how Christian has turned so far from the path that he had sent him on.
After Christian explained what had happened, Evangelist denounced his actions, which placed a new fear in Christian that he would not be able to return to the correct path and be allowed to approach the gate. Evangelist explains that although? Thy sin is very great? the man at the gate receive thee, for he has goodwill for men; only, said he, take heed that thou turn not aside again, lest thou perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little? (24).
Thus, after reassuring him again, Evangelist lay him on the right trail towards the wicket-gate. Twice, Evangelist had saved him from confusion and bewilderment, and sets him off towards happiness. Along Christian went and he was on his way towards the Celestial City, he stopped at a house where three women lived: Piety, Prudence, and Charity. At this house, he was sheltered and fed while he spoke to the three women about his adventurous journey. Each one took turns asking Christian questions, to which he replied enthusiastically. In the morning, when he awoke, he sang aloud: ?
Where am I now? Is this the love and care Of Jesus for the men that pilgrims are? ? (48)? Christian wondered if he has been so fortunate because this was the way that Jesus showed his appreciation for crusaders who, like himself, were giving up the comfort of their current situations to find security in their religious beliefs. For this reason, he has encountered people along the way to help him reach his destination. One morning, after staying a few days, the three women took Christian to the top of the hill and shown the beautiful land that lay in front, where he was told, he would find the gates to the Celestial City. Yet before they would send him off, they took him into the armoury?
and when they came there, they harnessed him from head to foot with what was of proof, lest, perhaps, he should meet with assaults in the way? (50). Here, Christian was given shields that protected him on his way, and without this, he would have not been able to continue his journey to the Celestial City. These women, as Christian had discovered, were among the few that were placed in his path in order to abet him forth. Nearing the end of his journey to the gates of the Celestial City, Christian, who is now accompanied by Hopeful, come upon the shepherds of the Delectable Mountains. It is here, from these men, that the two are given advantageous knowledge to guide them in their final phase of travel towards the City.
When first seen, the shepherds asked many questions. ? Whence came you? and, How got you into the way? and, By what means have you so persevered therein? For but few of them that begin to come hither do show their face on these mountains.
But when the Shepherds heard their answers, being pleased therewith, they looked very lovingly upon them, and said, Welcome to the Delectable Mountains (105). ? The Shepherds first wondered about where the two were coming from and how they had survived thus far, because many had turned back by the time they had reached that location. Yet, when Christian must have explained that Evangelist, the three women, and others had helped him along, the Shepherds were pleased. They had realized that he had been helped by the right people and directed down the correct path, and were aware that they, the Shepherds, were next in line to assist the two on their way. Thus, they received them, and asked for them to? stay a while? .
The Shepherds, were appropriately named Knowledge, Experience, Watchful and Sincere. These four determined to show them many of the mistakes pilgrims before them had made, in order to ensure that Christian and Hopeful would not make the same mistakes. When they finally decided that it was time to leave, the two sang: Thus, by the Shepherds, secrets are revealed, Which from all other men are kept concealed. Come to the Shepherds, then, if you would see Things deep, things hid, and that mysterious be. (107) The two were aware that other men were not as privileged as they to learn of the information that the Shepherds had shared with them were. ? When they were about to depart, one of the Shepherds gave them a note of the way.
Another of them bid them beware of the Flatterer. The third bid them take heed that they sleep not upon the Enchanted Ground. And the fourth bid them God-speed? (107). Each Shepherd, based on their character, gave them their admonishment.
This information as well, became very useful to Hopeful and Christian as they completed their journey to the gates of the Celestial City. Therefore, John Bunyan proves that no pilgrimage is made possible without the assistance of others. Had Christian not encountered Evangelist, he would not have the peace of mind that came along with knowledge of the Celestial City. If he had not come across the house of Prudence, Piety and Charity, he would not have been sheltered, fed, or armored for his oncoming adventures.
Finally, had Christian not met the Shepherds, his knowledge of what was to come would have not been enough to continue on to his goal. Others, such as people who have hiked up the Appalachian Trails, have encountered people along the way who are willing to and ready to provide them with accompaniment, food, shelter, or even experiences that will assist them in any way on their travels. In the same way, Christian comes across many people who, unlike some, are placed in his path, by some will of God, in order to help him on his crusade towards religious acceptance.
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Research essay sample on Christian Pilgrimage Prudence Piety And Charity Shepherds
