Previous Lesson

Lesson Seven - The House Beautiful

Next Lesson

 Reading: Pp. 41 ~ 55

 Summary:

     In this lesson, Christian is questioned by the Porter, Discretion, Piety, Prudence, and Charity before he can be admitted into the Palace of Beautiful. After he is admitted, they wait for supper to be prepared, and there he talks to Piety, Prudence, and Charity some more. Starting the next day, Christian is shown the History room and the Armory room. On the very last day, he is shown the beautiful mountains, Immanuel’s Land and then he is given the armor of God which will protect him against the onslaught of the Devil. Emily Lu

     Lesson 7 covers Christian’s stay at the Palace Beautiful.
     Before Christian can enter the Palace Beautiful, however, he is questioned by five different people (Watchful the Porter, Discretion, Piety, Prudence, and Charity). They asked him many different questions, including: what was his name, why he left his family behind, and what he had seen along the way. These questions were important in determining whether Christian was qualified to stay at Palace Beautiful, since only a true and sincere Christian can reside there. Obviously, Christian is admitted into the Palace Beautiful.
     Over the course of the next few days, Christian is shown the Study and Armory of the Palace, and the view from the Palace rooftops showing the Delectable Mountains. In the Study, Christian is shown several objects and their related importance to events in history (like, from the Bible), while in the armory, Christian is shown several pieces of armor and weapons of God, that will help protect him and defeat mortal enemies.
     Later, Christian is shown the view from the Palace rooftops, in order to show him the correct path thru the Valley of Humiliation and the Valley of the Shadow of Death, all the way to the Delectable Mountains. From here, Christian sees the whole view of the countryside; it greatly adds to his comfort at the Palace Beautiful.
Finally, as it is time for Christian to leave, he is outfitted with the suit of armor of God, as he will need protection from different creatures. He also learns that Faithful (another friend from the City of Destruction) passed by and is probably past the Valley of Humiliation. The last we see of Christian in Lesson 7 is when Piety, Prudence, and Charity, accompany him down the Hill and into the Valley of Humiliation. Vicki Shen

 Main Subjects:

1. Before Christian can be admitted to the palace, he has to be investigated by the Porter, Watchful, and by virtuous ladies of the palace (Discretion, Piety, Prudence, and Charity) to discover if he is fit to be taken in according to the Laws of the House. They eventually admit him, and while they are waiting for supper to be prepared, they satisfy other curiosities about him. Christian has been warmly greeted by God’s family present at that place. There is no doubt that Bunyan is picturing Christian’s acceptance into the Church here.
        Part 1
        Part 2
   
2. He is given objects (swords, shields, etc.) which will protect him against the onslaught of the Devil. The symbolic arming of the Christian has parallels to the receiving of magic objects in folktales; the presence of such folkloric motifs is one element of the book that may make it more appealing for children.
        Part 1
        Part 2
   
3. Verses
4. Vocabulary

Return To Pilgrim's Progress Main Page

1. Who built the Palace Beautiful, and for what purpose? --back to top--

• The Palace of Beautiful was built by the Lord our God and he built it for the relief and the security of traveling pilgrims. Emily Lu

• Upon arriving at the Palace Beautiful, Christian asks Porter this question, and is answered: “This house was built by the Lord of the hill and he built it for the relief and security of the pilgrims.” The House, therefore, is a shelter and a place of rest for the pilgrims, built by the Lord of the hill purely to serve as a haven for only those on the pilgrimage to the Celestial City. Joshua Ma

• The Palace Beautiful was built by the Lord for relief and safety for pilgrims. Vicki Shen

• The Lord of the hill built the Palace Beautiful, and it was built for the relief and security of pilgrims. Jennifer Lee

• The Lord of the Hill (The hill which the Palace sits on) built the Palace as a relief and protection for traveling pilgrims. Elaine Lee

• The Lord of the Hill built the palace Beautiful for the relief and security for passing pilgrims. Janna Qiao

• The Lord of the hill built the House Beautiful to comfort, relieve, and arm the pilgrims against Apollyon. However, some virgins from the house test the pilgrims first to see if they are worthy. Angela Zhou

• The Palace Beautiful was built by the Lord for relief and safety for pilgrims. David Shen

• The Lord of the hill built the Palace Beautiful. He built the palace for the pilgrims to stay and also for the security of pilgrims. Samuel Lu

• The hill built the House Beautiful and he built it for the relief and security of pilgrims. Michelle Lee

2.What are questions asked to Christian by the Porter and Discretion, Piety, Prudence, and Charity? Why are these questions so important so that  Christian can be admitted into the House Beautiful?--back to top--

• Christian receives from the Three Shining Ones:
       From the first one, Christian’s sins were forgiven
       From the second one, Christian was stripped of his rags and given a change of raiment.
       Lastly, from the third, Christian was given a mark on his forehead and a roll with a seal upon it. Christian was told to give in at the Celestial City’s Gate. Emily Lu

• Christian is asked by Watchful, Discretion, Piety, Prudence, and Charity such questions like:

  ·  Where he was from and where he was going?

  ·  What had made him choose to betake this journey and how it happened?

  ·  They asked about whether Christian had met the Interpreter and what he saw at the Interpreter’s house.

  ·  They asked what else he saw along the way of his journey. Christian had told them of the positive and negatives parts of his journey.

  ·  They also asked him whether Christian thought of his home country, his family, and possessions.

  ·  They also asked him about what made him so desirous to go to Mount Zion.

  ·  Etc…

  These are very important questions because they are all testing Christian to see whether he is qualified to be accepted into the Palace of Beautiful. In this case, the Palace of Beautiful represents a church and all those who greet Christian are the Lord’s family. After they welcome Christian into the Palace of Beautiful, Piety, Prudence, and Charity are assigned to talk to Christian some more. As they are speaking to him; Piety questions him about the events of his life, Prudence questions his motives, and Charity questions his home life, which seems to often be neglected. As he eats the Lord’s supper at the Lord’s table, the entire conversation was about the Lord our God; about his death, his life, and his pure love for pilgrims. Finally after this fellowship with his Savior, he is led to a room called Peace in which he sleeps the sleep of a blessed heart. Emily Lu

• Christian is asked many questions by the Porter, Discretion, Piety, Prudence, and Charity, questions that were meant to investigate Christian to show whether Christian was fit to be taken in. Firstly, he is asked by Porter for his route and destination, his name and racial origin, and his reason for delay; Porter had wanted a personal confession regarding these things. Deciding upon needing a second opinion, Porter then introduces Christian to Discretion and, after being questioned by her and Piety, Prudence, and Charity, Christian is unanimously approved and is welcomed into the house. This represented Christian’s welcoming into the Church, and the questions were important to make sure that he was “fit” and that he deserved to enter the House Beautiful. Joshua Ma

• The questions that the Porter, Discretion, Piety, Prudence and Charity asked Christian were:

  • Where was he going and where did he start from?
  • What was his name?
  • What was the reason for his delay?
  • How did he enter into the way?
  • What did he see and encounter?
  • Why was he driven out of his native country and why did he decide to go in this direction?
  • What did he see and learn from the Interpreter?
  • What else did he see?
  • Did he still remember his former country and former life?
  • Does he ever win against worldly temptations?
  • Why did he want to go to the Celestial City?
  • Why didn’t he bring his family along with him?
  • Did he pray to God and express that he was worried about his family?
  • Was he still responsible for his family?

  These questions were asked so Christian could stay at the Palace Beautiful because they made sure Christian was a sincere pilgrim and he wasn’t a phony like Formalist or Hypocrisy. Vicki Shen

•  The questions asked were where were you from, where you was going, what is your name, why you came so late, how you got into the way, what moved you at first to betake yourself to a pilgrim’s life, how did it happen that you came out of you country this way, if you not come by the house of the Interpreter, did you hear him tell his dream, was it all that you saw at the house of the Interpreter, what saw you else in the way, but you saw more than this did you not, do you not think sometimes of the country from whence you came, do you not bear away with you some of the things that then you were conversant withal, do you not find sometimes as if those things were vanquished which at other times are your perplexity, can you remember by what it means you find your annoyances at times as if they were vanquished, what is it that makes you so desirous to go to Mount Zion, have you a family, are you a married man, why did you not bring them along with you, did you pray to God that he would bless your counsel to them, did you tell them of your own sorrow and fear of destruction, what could they sat for themselves why they came not, and did you not with your vain life damp all that you by words used by way of persuasion to bring them away with you. These questions were asked to see if Christian was a good man or not, and to learn some things about him. They also need to discover if he is fit to be taken in according to the Laws of the House Jennifer Lee

• The Porter, Discretion, Prudence, Piety, and Charity all ask Christian about his journey. They also asked him about his feelings as a Christian like how he felt about his burden, and about his absence of a companion. They wanted to know of his loyalty to God, if he was a good Christian and how he felt about converting. In the end, Christian is accepted into the House Beautiful. Angela Zhou

• The questions that are asked to Christian are: Whence he was, where he was going, what was his name, what happened that made Christian come so late, how he got into the way, what he had seen and met in the way, what moved him to go on the journey, how did it happen that Christian got out of the City of Destruction, if he came to the house of the Interpreter, if he heard the man on the bed’s dream (He is in the house of the Interpreter), was the man on the bed the only thing he saw in the house, if he thought of the country he came from, if he not yet bear away with him things he was acquainted with, if he thought those things were outdone and if that was annoying, what made him so eager to go to Mt. Zion, if he was married and had a family, why he didn’t bring them along, if he prayed to God that the Lord would bless Christian’s counsel to them, if he told them of the danger, and if he asked them why they didn’t want to come. All these questions are important because the whole family needs to if Christian is bad or if anyone else was to come with him, ect. . They probably were also a bit curious too. Elaine Lee

• The questions asked by the Porter, Discretion, Piety, Prudence, and Charity are questions about his life, his venture, and his background, such as “What moved you at first to betake yourself to a pilgrim’s life?” These questions are important because it admits him to be a true Christian. Janna Qiao

• The questions that the Porter and Discretion, Piety, Prudence and Charity asked Christian were:

  • Where was he going and where did he start from?
  • What was his name?
  • What was the reason for his delay?
  • How did he enter into the way?
  • What did he see and encounter?
  • Why was he driven out of his native country and why did he decide to go in this direction?
  • What did he see and learn from the Interpreter?
  • What else did he see?
  • Did he still remember his former country and former life?
  • Does he ever win against worldly temptations?
  • Why did he want to go to the Celestial City?
  • Why didn’t he bring his family along with him?
  • Did he pray to God and express that he was worried about his family?
  • Was he still responsible for his family?

  These questions were asked so Christian could stay at the Palace Beautiful because they made sure Christian was a sincere pilgrim and he wasn’t a phony like Formalist or Hypocrisy. David Shen

• The Porter, Discretion, Prudence, Piety, and Charity all asked Christian questions such as:
  • Where he came from and where he was going
  • What moved you at first to betake yourself to a pilgrims life
  • Did you meet the Interpreter and what did he show you
  • What other things did you see on your journey

  And many other questions were asked but these questions were important because these questions were asked to test Christian to see whether he was ready to be accepted into the Palace of Beautiful. Samuel Lu

• Questions asked by the Porter: Where did you come from, where are you going, what is your name, how did you come so late? Questions asked by Discretion: Where did you come from, where are you going, how did you get into the way, what did you see, what did you meet with in the way, what is your name? Questions asked by Piety: What moved you at first to betake yourself to a pilgrim’s life, how did it happen that you came out of your country this way, did you not come by the house of the Interpreter, did you hear him tell his dream, was that all that you saw at the house of the Interpreter, what else did you see in the way, did you see more than this? Questions asked by Prudence: Do you not sometimes think about the country where you came from, do you not yet bear away with you some of the things that then you were familiar withal, do you not find sometimes as if those things were vanquished, which at other times are your bewilderment, can you recall by what means you find your annoyances at times as if they were vanquished, what is it that makes you so eager to go to Mt. Zion? Questions asked by Charity: Do you have a family, are you a married man, why did you not bring your family along with you, did you pray to God that he would bless your advice to them, did you tell them about your fear of destruction, what could was your fear of destruction visible enough to you, what could your family they say for themselves why they didn’t come, did you not with your vain life damp all that by words used by way of persuasion to bring them away with you? All these questions are asked to Christian so that they can figure out if he is a good person. Michelle Lee

3.On the second day at Palace Beautiful, Christian is shown the Study and Armory of the Palace.  What do you see as the figurative significance of the things he is shown in the latter? --back to top--

• In the study, the first records that were shown to him were directly spoken of the Lord our God and his divinity and eternity. Piety, Prudence, and Charity also read to him worthy acts performed by his servants. Lastly Christian also learns about how willing the Lord was to receive into his favor. Through being in the study, Christian learns that the more he learns of the Lord, the more reason he has to worship and glorify him for the great things that the Lord has done. Then he was shown the armory such as shields, helmets, sword, breastplate, and all kinds of prayers. All these things that has been shown to Christian is the provision that Christ has made for his people. Christian was much delighted with what he saw. Emily Lu

• In the armory, Christian is shown a sword, a shield, a helmet, a breastplate, all prayer, and shoes. The things he is shown are figuratively important in representing “weapons” that the Lord provides to protect Christian from the Devil. Thus, Christian is armed for protection against temptations of sin and Satan, figurative protection that the Church provides from these things. In addition, these weapons, this protection, was said to never wear out, although it was Christian’s responsibility to be well armored. Figuratively, this says that, although the Church can help you in staying on the right path, it is up to the Christian him or herself to be faithful and persevering. In addition, he is then shown Moses’ rod, Jael’s hammer and nail, Gideon’s pitchers, trumpets, and lamps, Shamgar’s ox goad, Samson’s jawbone of his donkey, David’s sling and stone, and the sword of the Lord. These were all equipment that the servants of the Lord had used to do wonderful things, memorabilia “worthy of admiration.” Joshua Ma

• The significance of the things Christian is shown in the Armory is that a regular pilgrim needs to put on the armor of God to fight because a regular pilgrim isn’t equipped for battle. Vicki Shen

• Each piece armor is an armor of God, according to Ephesians 6: 10-20.

• Sword: sword of the spirit = the word of God

• Shield: shield of faith = to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one

• Helmet: helmet of salvation

• Breastplate: breastplate of righteousness

• All prayer: pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints

• Shoes: readiness that comes from the gospel of peace  Jennifer Lee

• The armor in the Armory is to protect from propaganda from the devil. The shoes that never wear out are supposed to give the pilgrims determination to fight the devil with the sword of the gospel. With the sword Christian may not be able to defeat Apollyon, but he will certainly dispel him. The prayers are meant to provide comfort and reassure him, like a warm blanket during a fierce winter. There is an unlimited supply of this, as much for every pilgrim, so that the war of good versus evil will never stop. Angela Zhou

• Don’t understand “ What do you see as the figurative significance of the things he is shown in the latter?” Janna Qiao

• The significance of the things Christian is shown in the Armory is that a regular pilgrim needs to put on the armor of God to fight because a regular pilgrim isn’t equipped for battle. David Shen

• On the second day Christian was shown the study and armory. I think that the armory signifies the protection of pilgrims such as a shield. The shield protects your body from stuff like an arrow. Samuel Lu

• Each piece of the armor is actually the armor of God. Here is a list on how it is (I got all this from Ephesians 6:10-20) :

  • Sword: The sword of the Spirit, the word of God

  • Shield: Shield of faith, to protect from the flaming darts

  • Helmet: Helmet of salvation

  • Breastplate: Breastplate of righteousness

  • All prayer: To pray to the Lord with all kinds of prayers

  • Shoes: The readiness from the gospel of peace (They never wear out!)  Elaine Lee

• Belt-Truth; Breastplate-Righteousness; Shield-Faith; Helmet-Salvation; Sword-Word of God. (Ephesians 6:10-20) All these are used when in battle with the devil. Michelle Lee

  4. What are we to learn from those who sleep along the way?

  • What is he outfitted with before he leaves?
  • What does he learn from the Porter? --back to top--
  
  

• On the third day, Christian is shown a beautiful mountain country called Immanuel’s Land. This mountain was shown to him to give him comfort and to also prepare Christian for the time when he will be tried and tested. Although Christian doesn’t know it, it is not hidden from the Lord’s eyes. Before he leaves on his journey, he was dressed in God’s armor. His waist was girded with truth, he had breastplates of righteousness, his feet were dressed with the preparation of the gospel of peace and in his hand, he was given the shield of faith to fight off the evil one’s attacks. He was also given the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit. Just before he left, he learns from Porter that another pilgrim had passed this place and that the man’s name was Faithful. Emily Lu

• On the third day, Christian is shown the Palace roof-tops, with its view of the Delectable Mountains. When asked for the name of the country, they explain that it was Immanuel’s Land, and they said it was of the same character as the Hill and the Palace that Christian was visiting. Therefore, Immanuel’s Land is also figuratively representing a church haven. He was shown them to further add to his comfort since they were closer to the Celestial City than Christian, showing him the comforts and privileges that would be his as he nears the Celestial City. Before he leaves, room, he was equipped from “head to toe” with weapons for any attacks Christian might meet up with on the way. From the Porter, Christian also learns that Faithful had passed by, and was now ahead of him past the bottom of the hill. Joshua Ma

• On the third day, Christian is shown a view from the roof of the palace because the view shows the direction that Christian needs to go in.   Before he leaves, Christian is outfitted with a suit of armor that is fully tested. The Porter tells Christian that Faithful passed by and is beyond the bottom of the Hill. Vicki Shen

• Christian is shown the Delectable Mountains because they were nearer the desired haven than the place where at present he was.  He was outfitted with what was of proof, which means that it was of tried quality, of tested powers of resistance.  Christian learned that a pilgrim named Faithful passed by, and that he (Faithful) is below the hill. Jennifer Lee

• On the third day, Christian is shown the Delectable Mountains. They show him this as a preview of heaven, a small goal to reach and a sight that will energize and edge him on through the Valley of Humiliation. Angela Zhou

• Christian is shown the Delectable Mountains so he could be comforted as he saw many woods, vineyards, flowers, springs, fruits, fountains, ect. on a mountainous country in Immanuel’s Land. Before he leaves, Christian is outfitted with what was of proof to protect him. Christian also learns from the Porter that one of his dear neighbors, called Faithful, from the City of Destruction passed by the Palace Beautiful. Elaine Lee

• On the third day, Christian is shown Immanuel’s Land. He is shown this because it is the place “to and for all the pilgrims.” He is outfitted on armor (?) so that he may fight those who wish to kill him (??).Janna Qiao

• On the third day, Christian is shown a view from the roof of the palace because the view shows the direction that Christian needs to go in. Before he leaves, Christian is outfitted with a suit of armor that is fully tested. The Porter tells Christian that Faithful passed by and is beyond the bottom of the Hill. David Shen

• On the third day he is shown a mountainous country, Immanuel’s Land. He is shown this because when he sees the beauty of the mountain and how close it is to his destination helps him to face any other hardships that may be in his way. He was then given God’s armor from head to foot for protection from any assaults that he may meet on the rest of his journey. He learned from the Porter that another pilgrim had passed the Palace and his name was Faithful. Samuel Lu

• On the third day Christian is shown Immanuel’s land. It is being shown to him so he can add it to his comfort. Michelle Lee

Verses For The Pilgrim’s Progress pgs 39-55 Michelle Lee --back to top--

• Hebrews 11:15-16—If they had been thinking about the country they had left, they would have had the opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

• Genesis 19:14—So Lot went out and spoke to his son-in-laws, who were pledged to marry his daughter. He said, "Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy this city!" But his son-in-laws thought he was joking.

• 1 John 3:12—Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.

• Ezekiel 3:19—But if you do not warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will surely die; but you will have saved yourself.

• Hebrews 2:14—Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—

• 1 Samuel 2:8—He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. "For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; upon them he has set the world.

• Psalms 113:7—He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people.

• Hebrews 11:33-34—who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

• Revelation 9:11—They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abbadon, and in Greek, Apollyon.

Lesson 7 Vocabulary Angela Zhou and Elaine Lee--back to top--