The Pilgrim’s Progress: Part 1: The Cross Summary & Analysis

Bearing his burden with great difficulty, Christian runs along the narrow highway, which is bordered by a wall called Salvation. He runs until he reaches a Cross standing on a small hill; below it stands a Sepulchre. Just as he reaches the Cross, Christian’s burden falls from his shoulders. The burden tumbles into the Sepulchre and out of sight.

Immediately, Christian is filled with joy. He gazes at 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 angel takes off Christian’s rags and puts new clothes on him. The third angel gives Christian a sealed roll, telling him to look at it as he journeys, and to hand it in when he reaches the Celestial Gate. Christian leaps three times for joy and goes on, singing of his salvation.

As Christian goes on his way, he comes upon three sleeping men with chained ankles. Their names are Simple, Sloth, and Presumption. Christian wakes them and warns them to beware of Satan, but the three men think there’s no danger, and they settle back to sleep.

Just then, two men scramble over the wall beside the narrow way: their names are Formalist and Hypocrisy. They explain to Christian that they’re taking a shortcut to Mount Zion. Christian argues that this violates the Lord’s expressed will. Formalist and Hypocrisy reply that this will be no problem—they can offer a testimony which an impartial judge will accept, and anyway, as long as they’re on the narrow way, does it matter how they got there? Christian warns them that they have entered without the Lord’s direction, and as thieves, they cannot expect his mercy at the end. Formalist and Hypocrisy go on their way, laughing. Christian goes on alone, often looking at the roll that one of the Shining Ones gave him for reassurance.