The Pilgrim’s Progress
June 7, 2020 • Chris Reighley
Introduction
Hope rises from the ashes of faithful witness. In Stage Seven of The Pilgrim’s Progress, the journey continues not with despair—but with new companionship, discernment, and warning.
After the martyrdom of Faithful, Christian is not left alone for long. A new companion named Hopeful joins him, having been convicted by what he witnessed at Vanity Fair. He is the living fruit of Faithful’s death—a walking testimony to how suffering for Christ never returns void. Together, Christian and Hopeful face new challenges: the smooth-talking By-ends, the deadly Silver Mine at Hill Lucre, and the haunting pillar that was once Lot’s wife.
The stage climaxes in one of the most dramatic episodes of the book: Christian and Hopeful’s detour into By-Path Meadow, their capture by Giant Despair, and their imprisonment in Doubting Castle. Starved, beaten, and tempted to suicide, they nearly give up hope—until Christian remembers a key called Promise, hidden in his bosom. With it, they unlock the gates of their bondage and escape into the light of grace.
This stage teaches that no matter how deep the dungeon of despair, there is always a path to freedom in the promises of God. And it challenges us to reject comfortable religion, embrace costly obedience, and press on with resurrection hope.
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Hope thou in God.” — Psalm 42:11
Episode Outline: The Seventh Stage
Title: “Hope from Martyrdom, Danger from Deceit, and Deliverance from Despair”
PART 1: Hopeful Joins Christian
- Hopeful emerges as a fruit of Faithful’s witness at Vanity Fair.
- His name and character reflect spiritual encouragement in dark times.
- Application: Gospel witness—even unto death—never returns void (John 12:24).
PART 2: The Danger of By-ends
- By-ends from the town of Fair-speech joins them—religious, wealthy, and self-serving.
- He represents worldly religion: faith that works only when profitable.
- Christian and Hopeful expose his hypocrisy and reject his fellowship.
- Application: Beware of “silk-slipper” religion that avoids risk, sacrifice, or suffering.
PART 3: The Silver Mine at Hill Lucre
- Demas beckons them to turn aside to a silver mine.
- Christian refuses; Hopeful wavers but is persuaded to stay on the path.
- By-ends and his companions are never seen again.
- Application: Love of money is a root of many sorrows (1 Tim. 6:9–10).
PART 4: The Pillar of Salt – Lot’s Wife
- Christian and Hopeful discover a statue near the path—Lot’s wife, turned to salt.
- It sobers them: she looked back, though never fully turned.
- Hopeful repents of his recent temptation by the mine.
- Application: Don’t long for what God has rescued you from. Remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32).
PART 5: The Detour to By-Path Meadow
- The way becomes hard and discouraging.
- They see an easier path on the other side of a stile and cross over.
- Vain-confidence leads them—then falls to his death.
- Christian and Hopeful are trapped in a storm and cannot find their way back.
PART 6: Doubting Castle and Giant Despair
- Captured by Giant Despair and imprisoned in a dark, stinking dungeon.
- Beaten, starved, and tempted to kill themselves.
- Christian despairs; Hopeful encourages him with truth and Scripture.
PART 7: The Key Called Promise
- Christian remembers the key hidden in his bosom—called Promise.
- It unlocks every door of Doubting Castle, even the iron gate.
- Giant Despair is paralyzed by morning light and cannot stop their escape.
- They erect a pillar near the stile to warn others.
- Application: The promises of God are the sure path out of spiritual darkness.
Key Applications:
- Suffering is not the end – It often leads to new hope.
- Faith must be real – Comfortable religion can’t endure storms.
- Sin leads to despair – But grace opens a path to freedom.
- Scripture is the key – Hide it in your heart and use it in dark times.