Christian has already found support and encouragement in his journey in other Christians: Evangelist; Interpreter; and Help (at the Slough of Despond). He’s met his fair share of hindrances as well… and as he presses on he meets three more: Simple, Sloth and Presumption. As soon as he has experienced the power of the Cross, Christian seeks to share this good news with others… but each awakens and speaks only long enough to warn us of the dangers they personify, and then they lie down again to sleep. Christian continues on, albeit ‘troubled’ by the idea of those who ‘so little esteem the kindness of him that so freely offered to help them’. Tragically, we’ve undoubtedly had similar encounters. Watch out for these three characters when they re-appear in Part 2.
We may think that with his experience at the Cross so fresh in his mind, Christian would be fairly immune to distraction. But then he meets Formalist and Hypocrisy on their way from '‘the land of Vainglory’ and ostensibly on their way to ‘praise on mount Zion’. Christian is confused: ‘Why came you not in at the gate?’. It is always a shock to the system to meet those involved in the life of the Church who aren’t actually born again. And as in Bunyan’s dream, they often sound so sure of themselves, so confident of their own legitimacy, and so dismissive of our own perspective and convictions. It’s hard not to be intimidated, and easy to doubt yourself. It may take some patience, and we do well to follow Christian’s example of ‘often reading in the scroll’, but eventually Difficulty exposes their true nature and their true destinies.
Mind you Christian doesn’t navigate the Hill without some problems of his own. Wearied from his exertions, he stops - legitimately, for ‘the resting place was made by the Lord of the Hill for the refreshment of weary travellers’ - but as he sleeps his scroll falls out of his hand.
This has puzzled readers of Pilgrim’s Progress for generations. Firstly, in spite of the fact that the Lord provides for rest, there is a sense in which Christian has abused this privilege. The clue seems to be in the phrase, ‘pleasing himself, he at last fell into a slumber’. Later Christian will rue ‘his sinful sleep’; and wonders at his own wretchedness ‘that I should sleep in the daytime… in the midst of Difficulty! That I should so indulge the flesh as to use that rest for ease to my flesh, which the Lord of the Hill hath erected only for relief of the spirit of pilgrims!’ . A messenger awakens him and rebukes him when it is almost night (which sounds ominous!), ‘Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise’ (Prov.6:6). Rest is good, and can be a blessing, but when it is indulged it becomes laziness and is damaging to us. Christian is not free from the faults that characterise others he meets (Sloth). Often what distinguishes true Christians from false ones is not necessarily their lack of sin, but their lack of desire for sin, and their willingness to repent. Although, over time that does lead to a mitigating of sinful behaviour.
Having turned the Lord’s help into a hindrance, Christian repents, and speeds on his way. But he has left the scroll behind. What does the scroll represent? Some have thought that it symbolises Christian’s salvation. Can a Christian lose this? Bunyan would hardly countenance such an idea. But can a Christian lose their assurance, their confidence that the Lord is at work in and through them? …that He is preserving them in the way? That seems more likely what Bunyan is warning against. When Christian meets Timorous and Mistrust, who cannot believe that the Lord would lead them past the lions, Christian reaches for his scroll ‘that he might read therein and be comforted’. When he can’t find it, he is in ‘great distress’.
Christian’s sinful slumber has consequences for his pilgrimage. His failure to ‘watch and pray’ has left him ill-equipped to rebuff Timorous and Mistrust, and hopelessly unable to face the lions in the road ahead. He must retrace his steps and rediscover his joy and confidence in the faithfulness of His God to lead him through such dangers before he can go any further.
Questions to ponder:
How would you counsel a Christian who was insecure in their relationship with God? How serious an issue do you think it is to lack confidence in that relationship? How would it damage our discipleship?
How can we cultivate greater confidence and joy as Christians?
What is the link between spiritual assurance, and courage?
