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Moi Latu
Professor Cosmin Ritivoiu
English 102
8 March 2015
Pilgrims Progress: At the Foot of the Cross
Pilgrims Progress is regarded as one of the most significant works of English
religious literature. Authored by the English minister John Bunyan, during his time in
prison due to his religious practices, and published in 1678, this allegory of the Christian
experience follows the main character, a man named Christian, through his journey from
the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. The book contains many precious metaphors
and lessons that show the significance of staying true to the principles given in Gods
Word throughout ones spiritual journey. The section entitled: At the Foot of the Cross,
portrays the importance of the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross as the motivating factor to
continue on and remain faithful in the Christian pilgrimage.
The main character, Christian, continuing on his journey after going through the
slough of despond, finds his way fenced in on both sides by a high wall, and the wall is
identified as Salvation (Bunyan 25). One might initially observe the analogy given of a
wall as a representation of salvation. The wall appears to have been erected to compel
anyone aspiring to reach the Celestial City to enter in through the only proper way, the
Wicket Gate. In a similar manner, one cannot enter the journey of the Christian
experience, except through one way (Bunyan 25). Christ says, I am the way, the truth,
and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). In this illustration
Bunyan portrays the importance of Christian, and any other would-be pilgrims, entering

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in through the Wicket Gate in order to reach their end-goal (25). Analogously, it is just as
necessary for anyone desiring to embark upon the pilgrimage from this life to the great
hereafter to enter in through Christ alone.
Further along the way is a hill on which Christian sees a cross and a tomb. He
runs towards the cross, but struggles greatly because of a load on his back (Bunyan 25).
The load upon his back can be interpreted to represent the burden of sin upon the soul.
Just as the burden upon his back caused Christian to struggle along his journey, the
burden of sin upon a disciple of Christ can cause their efforts towards salvation to
become laborious. Nevertheless, Christ has given the promise, Come unto me, all ye that
labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Despite the burdens
of this life, Christ is willing to take the worries and cares of those who will surrender
them, and give rest in return.
Though heavily weighed-down, when Christian reaches the cross his burden
drops to the ground. In utter amazement and relief Christian stands at the foot of the cross
and weeps (Bunyan 25). He perceives that the sight of the cross has mitigated his burden
and he now journeys on, not as a burdened and weary traveler, but as a liberated and
revitalized pilgrim. Here Bunyan illustrates one of the most significant and liberating
moments of Christians life. He knew his sins had been paid for by the death of the One
who died on the cross. They were gone, buried in the saviors tomb, and God would
remember them against him no more forever. This passage of the book describes the
very fundamental basis of Christianity. The very essence of the Gospel is that Christs
sacrifice, through His death on the Cross, His burial and resurrection, gives the wayward
sinner the prospect of freedom from their sin and a new life in Christ.

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The story does not end, however, with only a relief from the burden of sin. Not
only is the burdened taken off of Christians back, but also his rags are stripped off and he
is clothed in clean white garments. One must first notice that the pilgrims rags are taken
off. In the same way, Christ is willing to forgive us and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Christian becoming clothed with white garments can be
equivocated with the robe of Christs righteousness given to those who choose to follow
Him. For though one may put forth their total effort in performing righteous deeds, just as
Christian pressed through his pilgrimage on his own merit, human effort can only go so
far. One prophet of old says this, all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah
64:6). The prophet Isaiah asserts that regardless of righteous acts one may attempt to
perform, they are all as filthy rags. However, just as Christians filthy rags were
replaced with white garments, so too can we be covered with Christs righteousness. The
prophet Isaiah states He [Christ] has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has
wrapped me with a robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).
The Pilgrims Progress chronicles the journeys of a pilgrim seeking a better land.
In the medieval times in which the book was written, there were no airplanes, cars, or
other modern modes of transportation. This made traveling a much longer and more
difficult process. Due to the primitive types of transportation of his day, Bunyan was able
to use the journey of a pilgrim as a simile with the Christian experience.
The section: At the Foot of the Cross, from Pilgrims Progress, has important
impact on purpose of the book as a whole. It urges all who read the book to keep their
eyes on the cross as they continue on their journey. The cross is the pinnacle of the

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pilgrimage of the Christian, the point where the journey is made possible by Christs
sacrifice to remove sins and impute His righteousness in His children.

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Works Cited
Bunyan, John. "Pilgrim's Progress." - Christian Classics Ethereal Library. N.p., n.d. Web.
02 Mar. 2015.
The Holy Bible. King James Version. New York: American Bible Society: 1999;
Bartleby.com, 2000.