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Good-will/Keeper of the Gate
The Shining Ones are angels who minister to Christian throughout his travels—for example, giving him new clothes and a sealed roll after he loses his burden of sin at the Cross. A Shining One also disciplines Christian and Hopeful after they heedlessly follow the Flatterer and get caught in a net, but then he lovingly sends them on the correct path. Shining Ones accompany the pilgrims from the River of Death to the Celestial Gate.
Shining Ones Quotes in The Pilgrim’s Progress
The The Pilgrim’s Progress quotes below are all either spoken by Shining Ones or refer to Shining Ones. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Part 1: Beulah, the River of Death, and the Celestial City Quotes
The men then asked, What must we do in the holy place? To whom it was answered, You must there receive the comfort of all your toil, and have joy for all your sorrow; you must reap what you have sown, even the fruit of all your Prayers and Tears, and sufferings for the King by the way. In that place you must wear Crowns of Gold, and enjoy the perpetual sight and vision of the Holy one, for there you shall see him as he is. There also you shall serve him continually with praise, with shouting, and thanksgiving, whom you desired to serve in the World, though with much difficulty, because of the infirmity of your flesh.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
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Explanation and Analysis:
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Shining Ones Character Timeline in The Pilgrim’s Progress
The timeline below shows where the character Shining Ones appears in The Pilgrim’s Progress. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1: The Cross
...for a while, amazed at his newfound ease. He even begins to weep. Soon, three Shining Ones appear and greet Christian. The first angel tells him, “Thy sins be forgiven.” The second...
(full context)
...way, laughing. Christian goes on alone, often looking at the roll that one of the Shining Ones gave him for reassurance.
(full context)
Part 1: Ignorance, Little-faith, and Flatterer
After a while, a Shining One approaches them, holding a whip in his hand. After Christian and Hopeful explain their predicament,...
(full context)
Part 1: Beulah, the River of Death, and the Celestial City
...Valley of the Shadow of Death nor Doubting Castle can even be glimpsed from here. Shining Ones walk in Beulah, because it is on Heaven’s border. From here, they can see the...
(full context)
...After stopping to rest in a vineyard, they resolve to enter the Celestial City. Two Shining Ones accompany them to the Gate, but they explain that the pilgrims must enter the City...
(full context)
...more obstacles; even Christian now finds the water shallow. On the opposite bank, they find Shining Ones waiting to greet them.
(full context)
...and a group of the King’s Trumpeters welcomes them with celebratory shouts and music. The Shining Ones tell Christian and Hopeful to seek entrance at the Gate. They see biblical figures like...
(full context)
...ask for his certificate, Ignorance has nothing to show them. Then the King tells the Shining Ones to bind Ignorance and take him away; they accordingly place him in Hell, which has...
(full context)
