The Pilgrim’s Progress

The Pilgrim’s Progress

by

John Bunyan

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The Burden of Sin and Salvation through Christ Theme Analysis

Themes and Colors
The Burden of Sin and Salvation through Christ Theme Icon
The World vs. Christianity Theme Icon
Obstacles on the Journey Theme Icon
The Centrality of the Bible Theme Icon
Women as Pilgrims Theme Icon
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Pilgrim’s Progress, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Burden of Sin and Salvation through Christ Theme Icon

Pilgrim’s Progress, a Christian allegory first published in 1678, is one of the most popular works of fiction ever written. John Bunyan’s book presents the journey of a man named Christian, who’s symbolic of the average Christian person. In the book, Christian flees the City of Destruction, finds salvation from his sins, and progresses toward the Celestial City (Heaven), encountering many obstacles on the way. To understand Pilgrim’s Progress, it’s vital to understand the book’s Puritan perspective on sin and the role of Jesus Christ as savior. In this view, not only is everyone a sinner, but none of a sinner’s efforts can atone for sin or make a sinner deserving of Heaven—only Christ’s sacrificial death on sinners’ behalf can accomplish this. To convey this idea, Bunyan portrays Christian as carrying a physical burden on his back, which symbolizes his sin. Indeed, Christian is unable to rid himself of this burden, and it’s only his belief in Christ’s sacrifice that redeems him. By focusing on Christian’s inability to rid himself of this burden, Bunyan argues that every Christian believer must, like Christian the pilgrim, be unburdened through believing in Christ’s sacrifice and not by looking to his or her own efforts.

In the book, getting rid of the burden of sin is something that the sinner ultimately can’t do for him- or herself. However, seeking relief from the burden is still the most important thing a sinner can do. As Christian tells Worldly Wiseman, who criticizes his journey, “this burden upon my back is more terrible to me than all these things which you have mentioned [danger, pain, weariness, hunger, and death]: nay, methinks I care not what I meet with in the way, if so be I can also meet with deliverance from my burden.” Nothing Christian encounters is more grievous to him than sin itself; he will face anything in order to be free from this burden and his guilt.

Getting rid of sin isn’t a simple matter, though, as it requires wrestling with sin’s gravity. Soon after Christian starts his journey, he falls into a muddy pit called the Slough of Despond and must be rescued by a figure named Help. Help explains that the Slough is “the descent whither the scum and filth that attends conviction for sin doth continually run […] for still as the sinner is awakened about his lost condition, there ariseth in his soul many fears and doubts, and discouraging apprehensions[.]” The Slough, in other words, symbolizes the process of coming to a full realization of the depth of one’s sin. This doubt- and fear-filled process (one wonders if they can truly be saved from sin) is like getting mired in a bog. Bunyan suggests that for most Christians, this “conviction for sin” is a necessary but difficult step toward salvation.

The law (in Puritan theology, the effort to perfectly obey God’s commandments) doesn’t get rid of the burden of sin; it actually makes the burden heavier. At the Interpreter’s House (a place where Christian is shown various symbols of the Christian life), Christian is taken into a dusty, unswept room. When the dust is stirred up chokingly, the Interpreter explains that “this is to show thee, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, doth revive, put strength into, and increase [sin] in the soul […] for it doth not give power to subdue.” This explanation is based on the Protestant teaching that any attempts to adhere to the biblical law only intensify a person’s natural tendency to sin rather than eradicating sin. That is, human beings are not capable of ridding themselves of their sinful burden simply by trying harder—this only compounds the burden. Much as a sinner must wrestle with the gravity of sin, then, one must also accept one’s inability to redeem oneself.

Only Christ’s sacrifice on the cross takes away the burden of sin. When Christian sees a cross standing on a hill, “his burden [is] loosed from off his shoulders” and tumbles into the open grave beneath; then Christian is “glad and lightsome” and says, “He hath given me rest by His sorrow, and life by His death.” Christian only experiences salvation after he looks away from his own internal struggle and his own efforts and instead looks at what Christ has accomplished as Savior. Only then is he free to begin his pilgrimage in earnest.

Though it’s the most crucial step, looking to Christ as Savior is only the beginning of Christian’s journey to Heaven. As Christian travels, he often gets distracted by thoughts of the world he’s left behind, but “when I think what I saw at the cross […] that will [help]; and when my thoughts wax warm about whither I am going, that will do it.” In other words, each time a saved sinner is tempted to look back at the past or become too preoccupied with him- or herself, looking at the Cross, and looking ahead to the promise of Heaven, gets the sinner back on the right path.

It’s noteworthy that Christian’s unburdening at the cross happens relatively early in the book. Though it’s the key to his journey from that time forward, it’s not the climax. Passing through the “wicket-gate,” by believing in Christ, is only the entrance into a lifelong journey toward Heaven. Now that the Christian has laid down sin’s burden, it’s possible to become holier—more like Christ—through pilgrimage.

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The Burden of Sin and Salvation through Christ Quotes in The Pilgrim’s Progress

Below you will find the important quotes in The Pilgrim’s Progress related to the theme of The Burden of Sin and Salvation through Christ.
Part 1: Fleeing the City of Destruction Quotes

Then [Evangelist] gave him a Parchment-roll, and there was written within, Fly from the wrath to come.

The Man therefore read it, and looking upon Evangelist very carefully, said, Whither must I fly? Then said Evangelist, pointing with his finger over a very wide field, Do you see yonder Wicket-gate? The Man said, No. Then said the other, Do you see yonder shining Light? He said, I think I do. Then said Evangelist, Keep that Light in your eye, and go up directly thereto: so shalt thou see the Gate; at which, when thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do.

Related Characters: Christian (speaker), Evangelist (speaker)
Related Symbols: Wicket-gate
Page Number: 15
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 1: Mr. Worldly Wiseman Quotes

But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers attend it? Especially, since (hadst thou but patience to hear me) I could direct thee to the obtaining of what thou desirest, without the dangers that thou in this way wilt run thyself into […] Why in yonder Village (the village is named Morality) there dwells a Gentleman whose name is Legality, a very judicious man, and a man of very good name, that has skill to help men off with such burdens as thine are from their shoulders […] he hath skill to cure those that are somewhat crazed in their wits with their burdens.

Related Characters: Mr. Worldly Wiseman (speaker), Christian, Legality
Related Symbols: Burden
Page Number: 23
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 1: The Interpreter’s House Quotes

This parlour is the heart of a man that was never sanctified by the sweet Grace of the Gospel: the dust is his Original Sin and inward Corruptions, that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep at first, is the Law; but she that brought water, and did sprinkle it, is the Gospel. Now, whereas thou sawest that so soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about that the Room by him could not be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choaked therewith; this is to shew thee, that the Law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, doth revive, put strength into, and increase it in the soul, even as it doth discover and forbid it, for it doth not give power to subdue.

Related Characters: Interpreter (speaker), Christian
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 34
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 1: The Cross Quotes

So I saw in my Dream, that just as Christian came up with the Cross, his Burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble, and so continued to do, till it came to the mouth of the Sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more.

Then was Christian glad and lightsome, and said with a merry heart, He hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death.

Related Characters: Christian
Related Symbols: Burden
Page Number: 42
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 1: Christian and Faithful Quotes

So soon as the man overtook me, he was but a word and a blow, for down he knocked me, and laid me for dead. But when I was a little come to myself again, I asked him wherefore he served me so? He said, Because of my secret inclining to Adam the First: and with that he struck me another deadly blow on the breast, and beat me down backward, so I lay at his foot as dead as before. So when I came to myself again I cried him mercy; but he said, I know not how to shew mercy; and with that knocked me down again. He had doubtless made an end of me, but that one came by, and bid him forbear.

Related Characters: Faithful (speaker), Christian, Adam the First/Moses
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 75
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 1: Ignorance, Little-faith, and Flatterer Quotes

I know my Lord’s will, and I have been a good liver; I pay every man his own; I Pray, Fast, pay Tithes, and give Alms […] Gentlemen, ye be utter strangers to me, I know you not; be content to follow the Religion of your Country, and I will follow the Religion of mine. I hope all will be well. And as for the Gate that you talk of, all the world knows that that is a great way off of our Country.

Related Characters: Ignorance (speaker), Christian, Hopeful
Related Symbols: Wicket-gate, Roll / Certificate / Scroll
Page Number: 129
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 1: The Enchanted Ground Quotes

One day I was very sad […] and this sadness was through a fresh sight of the greatness and vileness of my sins: and as I was then looking for nothing but Hell, and the everlasting damnation of my Soul, suddenly as I thought, I saw the Lord Jesus look down from Heaven upon me, and saying, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. […] And then I saw from that saying, He that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst, that believing and coming was all one; and that he that came […] ran out in his heart and affections after salvation by Christ, he indeed believed in Christ.

Related Characters: Hopeful (speaker), Christian
Page Number: 147
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 2: The Interpreter’s House Quotes

Now said he, compare this Hen to your King, and these Chickens to his obedient ones. For answerable to her, himself has his methods which he walketh in towards his People; by his common call he gives nothing; by his special call he always has something to give; he has also a brooding voice for them that are under his wing; and he has an outcry to give the alarm when he seeth the Enemy come. I chose, my Darlings, to lead you into the Room where such things are, because you are Women, and they are easy for you.

Related Characters: Interpreter (speaker), Christiana, Mercy
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 207
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 2: From the Interpreter’s House to the Porter’s House Quotes

Now said Christiana, it comes to my mind what was said to us at the Gate, to wit, that we should have pardon by word and deed: by word, that is, by the promise; by deed, to wit, in the way it was obtained. What the promise is, of that I know something; but what it is to have pardon by deed, or in the way that it was obtained, Mr Great-heart, I suppose you know; wherefore if you please let us hear your discourse thereof.

Related Characters: Christiana (speaker), Mr. Great-heart
Page Number: 215
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 2: Honest and Fearing Quotes

And here also I took notice of what was very remarkable, the Water of that River was lower at this time than ever I saw it in all my life. So he went over at last, not much above wet-shod. […] I never had doubt about him; he was a man of a choice spirit, only he was always kept very low, and that made his life so burdensome to himself, and so troublesome to others. He was above many tender of sin. He was so afraid of doing injuries to others, that he often would deny himself of that which was lawful, because he would not offend.

Related Characters: Mr. Great-heart (speaker), Mr. Fearing
Page Number: 260
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 2: At Gaius’s Inn Quotes

I will say again, that when the Saviour was come, Women rejoiced in him before either Man or Angel. I read not, that ever any Man did give unto Christ so much as one Groat, but the Women followed him and ministered to him of their Substance. 'Twas a Woman that washed his Feet with Tears, and a Woman that anointed his Body to the Burial. They were Women that wept when he was going to the Cross, and Women that followed him from the Cross, and that sat by his Sepulchre when he was buried. They were Women that was first with him at his Resurrection-morn, and Women that brought tiding first to his Disciples that he was risen from the Dead. Women therefore are highly favoured, and shew by these things that they are sharers with us in the Grace of Life.

Related Characters: Gaius (speaker)
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 269
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 2: The Pilgrims Cross the River Quotes

This River has been a Terror to many, yea, the thoughts of it also have often frighted me. But now methinks I stand easy […] The Waters indeed are to the Palate bitter and to the Stomach cold, yet the thoughts of what I am going to and of the Conduct that waits for me on the other side, doth lie as a glowing Coal at my Heart.

I see myself now at the end of my Journey, my toilsome days are ended. I am going now to see that Head that was crowned with Thorns, and that Face that was spit upon for me.

Related Characters: Stand-fast (speaker)
Page Number: 321
Explanation and Analysis: