18. The Burden’s Source

WORLDLY-WISEMAN: How then did you come by your burden in the first place?

CHRISTIAN: By reading this book in my hand.

WORLDLY-WISEMAN: I thought so. It has happened to you in the same way that other weak men, in meddling with things that are too high for them, have suddenly fallen into the same bewilderment that you presently suffer. Now this confusion not only humiliates men, even as 1 observe that you have suffered, but it also causes them to pursue desperate causes, and so seek that which they know little about.

CHRISTIAN: Well, I know what I want to obtain, and that is relief from my heavy burden.

WORLDLY-WISEMAN: But why do you seek for ease with regard to your present way seeing that it involves so many dangers? If you had but patience enough to listen to me, I would advise you how to obtain what you desire, only without the perils that you are certain to encounter if you follow the way ahead. Yes, and further, the remedy I would suggest is close at hand. Besides, I will offer yet more, for instead of dangers you will meet with much safety, friendship, and content.

John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress

1. What is the burden that Christian is carrying on his back?
2. Can you think of passages in the Bible that point to what the burden is that Christian is carrying around?
3. As Mr. Worldly-Wiseman begins to speak, what do you think is his opinion of the book that Christian carries with him?
4. Do think that even we would try to take the easy way out of dealing with our sins and difficult circumstances in this life?

“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” -Hebrews 4:12

“[The Bible] will lead us into all truth. It will deliver us from the fermenting errors of the day. It will save us from the intellectual dreams of vain philosophy, from the morally corrupted taste of a sensational literature, from the superficially attractive novelties of spiritual mysticism, from the pretentious sentimentalism of men who soar above all creeds and abhor the name of “law” from Broad Churchism, and High-Churchism and no Churchism. It will lead us into light and love, into liberty and unity, imparting strength and gladness.” – Horatius Bonar