This illustration is from John Bunyan's 1678 novel The Pilgrim's Progress (From This World, To That Which Is To Come). It is an important example of early English literature and an allegory for Christian life. It is written as a dream related by the narrator and tells the tale of the protagonist Christian, who is traveling from his home in the City of Destruction (this world) to the Celestial City (Heaven). In the pictured scene, Christian is going to the House of the Palace Beautiful, which is a place for godly pilgrims to rest and rejuvinate at the top of the Hill of Difficulty. To enter the Palace, however, he must pass through a narrow passage inhabited by two lions. Naturally afraid, Christian thinks about turning back but the Porter- named Watchful- sees him from the door of the Palace and calls out encouragement. He tells Christian to have faith and not fear: the lions are chained to the wall. Christian can't see the chains but decides to trust the Porter and walks the middle of the path; the lions roar and lunge but cannot reach him and he arrives safely at the door to the Palace Beautiful. Allegorically, the Palace is the Church, and the lions represent the threats of civil government and the state church (of England)- Bunyan was a Puritan- to those who seek the true Gospel. The Porter Watchful represents a minister of the Word who watches and cares for the faithful pilgrims. Christian stays at the Palace Beautiful for three days and leaves clad in the Armour of God.
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