"As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a den, and I laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept I dreamed a dream." So began 'The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come; Delivered under the Similitude of a Dream', written by John Bunyan. First published in 1678, this great allegory, is considered by some, second only to the Bible in published literature.
Many illustrations of Bunyan's own Christian pilgrimage are used in this book, and here Pastor Chris Hand, in a series of children's talks, takes us, with Pilgrim, on his journey from the City of Destruction, to the object of his pilgrimage, arrival at the Celestial City. Travel further with us then, as Pilgrim's journey continues ................. To a meeting with giants Pagan and Pope, and a reunion with his fellow pilgrim Faithful, who tells him of one who turned back. Here we are reminded that the Christian life is not easy, there will be problems, there will be difficulties and opposition, but there is grace and there is mercy, keep going. Other characters we meet along the way include Adam the First who lived in a house called Deceipt, Mrs. Wanton who was certainly not a good example, and we are warned to keep our distance from her.
Faithful tells our pilgrim how he was dealt such a blow that he fell over, but someone came along and lifted him up, and here he learns of mercy, grace, and forgiveness. What lessons there are to learn from this wonderful account.