THE
Pilgrim's Progress
FROM
THIS WORLD,
TO
That which is to come:
Delivered under the Similitude of a
DREAM
Wherein is Discovered,
The manner of his setting out,
His Dangerous Journey; And safe
Arrival at the Desired Country
By John Bunyan
It's good. A good metaphor does not merely say, "A is like B," but rather it reveals something new about A through the lens of our knowledge of B.
The characters in Bunyan's book are all named after that which they personify. So, our protagonist's name is Christian. We have also met characters like Evangelist, Mr Worldy Wiseman, Obstinate, and Help. I wanted to write a bit about Christian's exchange with characters named Formalist and Hypocrisy. (I might suggest you read John 10 first, to help undergird the brilliance of this passage.)
After Formalist and Hypocrisy have criticised Christian fairly harshly, Christian says this:
Chr. I walk by the rule of my master, you walk by the rude working of your fancies. You are counted thieves already, by the Lord of the way, therefore I doubt you will not be found true men at the end of the way. You come in by your selves, without his direction, and shall go out by your selves, without his mercy.
To this they made him but little answer; only they bid him to look to himself. Then I saw that they went on; every man in his way, without much conference with one another; save that these men told Christian, That, as to Laws and Ordinances, they doubted not but they should as conscientiously do them as he. Therefore, said they, We see not wherein thou differest from us, but by the coat that is on thy back, which was as we tro, given thee by some of thy neighbours, to hide the shame of thy nakedness.
Chr. By Laws and Ordinances you will not be saved, since you came not in by the door. And as for this coat that is on my back, it was given me by the Lord of the place whither I go; and that, as you say, to cover my nakedness with. And I take it as a token of kindness to me, for I had nothing but rags before; and besides, thus I comfort my self as I go; surely, think I, when I come to the gate of the City, the Lord thereof will know me for good, since I have his coat on my back! A coat that he gave me freely in the day that he stripped me of my rags. (44-45)
Perhaps there's nothing at all for me to tease out. I thought it was beautiful how Christian described the Lord knowing us because we wear His coat. And wonderful that he didn't deny the coat was given to cover his nakedness and shame. It was! How naked and ashamed we all were in that Garden...and then the Lord--the one wronged--He makes for us garments out of animal skin (cf. Genesis 3:21). He clothes us. It's beautiful. And even more: by His Son's clothing on our backs, He knows us!
The passage made me think of the chorus of a song which I very much appreciate.
Your majesty, I can but bow;
I lay it all before you now.
In royal robes I don't deserve,
I live to serve Your majesty.
Let's continue, for good measure.
King of kings, Majesty,
God of heaven living in me.
Mighty Saviour, precious Friend,
Strong Deliverer, Beginning and End.
All within me falls at Your throne...
Your majesty, I can but bow;
I lay it all before you now.
In royal robes I don't deserve,
I live to serve Your majesty.
Earth and heav'n worship You:
Love eternal, faithful, and true,
Who bought the nations, ransomed souls,
brought this sinner near to Your throne.
All within me cries out in praise...
Your majesty, I can but bow;
I lay it all before you now.
In royal robes I don't deserve,
I live to serve Your majesty.
King of Kings, Majesty" Words and Music by Jarrod Cooper © 1996 Sovereign Lifestyle Music
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