The Violent Take it by Force

One of my favorite parts of The Pilgrim's Progress is when Christian visits the house of the Interpreter; where he is impressed with several images presented to him. Each are given to aid the powerful faculty of his imagination, and will remain with him throughout the travails of his pilgrimage to the Celestial City. Images and other artistic devices are powerful tools that can carve their subject matter deeply into our memory. That Pilgrim's Progress itself is a work of allegory and imagination only further illustrates the utility of such methods.

One of the scenes Christian is confronted with in the house of the Interpreter is that of a stately palace. One which many desire to enter but dare not because of the guards at the gate:

I saw also that the INTERPRETER took him again by the hand, and led him into a pleasant place, where was builded a stately palace, beautiful to behold; at the sight of which CHRISTIAN was greatly delighted: he saw also upon the top thereof certain persons walking, who were clothed all in gold.

Chr. Then said CHRISTIAN, "May we go in thither?"

Then the INTERPRETER took him and led him up toward the door of the palace; and behold, at the door stood a great company of men, as desirous to go in, but durst not. There also sat a man at a little distance from the door, at a table side, with a book and his ink horn before him, to take the name of him that should enter therein: he saw also that in the doorway stood many men in armour, to keep it, being resolved to do to the men that would enter what hurt and mischief they could.

Now was CHRISTIAN somewhat amazed: at last, when every man started back, for fear of the armed men, CHRISTIAN saw a man of a very stout countenance come up to the man that sat there to write, saying, "Set down my name, sir"; the which when he had done, he saw the man draw his sword, and put a helmet upon his head, and rush toward the door upon the armed men, who laid upon him with deadly force; but the man not at all discouraged, fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely. So, after he had received and given many wounds to those that attempted to keep him out, he cut his way through them all, and pressed forward into the palace; ("Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God ." Acts 14:22) at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that were within even of those that walked upon the top of the palace, saying,

"Come in! Come in!

Eternal glory thou shalt win."

So he went in, and was clothed with such garments as they. Then CHRISTIAN smiled and said, "I think, verily, I know the meaning of this."

**

In some respects this scene is a synopsis of The Pilgrim’s Progress. It gets at exactly why I enjoy this book so much as well as other Puritans of the era. It is saturated with a desperation and intensity in religion rarely spoken of in the Modern West. Far from presenting Christianity as something wholly demanding and dangerous; we prefer to err on the gentler side. "Pray a prayer and maybe come to church once a week!" Sometimes appeals are given with assurances that things will fare better for you now than before you were a Christian: "Follow Jesus and your life, your marriage, your finances will be blessed." Not only did Jesus guarantee trouble and persecution to His followers, but the logic reeks of an oversell. The new convert will be unprepared for the storms to come, and they are coming! He will be expecting carnal improvement when there is no guarantee of any such thing. What if instead of getting better, things get worse? What if in following Christ there is only more conflict, pain, and loss in my life--what then? I can imagine the reflection: “You sold it to me saying things will get better, but they have instead gotten worse, and for that reason I am out.”

In contrast to modern presentations, I love Bunyan's image of the man with a stout countenance; who takes his share of blows, but gives his share of blows too. It reminds me of what Jesus says in Matthew 11:12, "From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force." With the coming of John the gospel door is opened wide and ever since there has been a ravenous pressing into the Kingdom of God. There are no more barriers, this is not just for the rich or the righteous. It is offered for you. It is yours for the taking; so rush in and possess it for yourself--whatever it takes. He is passing through your street, so shout on the street corner; grab the hem of His garment if you must; knock the roof in if it will let you get your friend to Him. If you do nothing else, make sure you seek it, find it, and retain it once its been found. Matthew Henry said commenting on the passage: "They who will have an interest in the great salvation are carried out towards it with a strong desire, will have it upon any terms, and no think them hard, nor quit their hold without a blessing."

This is exactly the Biblical messaging we need to latch onto today. Salvation at all costs; at any terms. No need to bribe with prospects of ease or blessing; no price is too steep for so great a prize. Press in with holy violence; take heaven by storm. If I have to sell all my possessions to buy the field, so be it! The hidden treasure is worth it. If I have to sell all that I have to possess that pearl, then I will sell all that I have. Perhaps many would like to enter the palace, but few dare to rush in. No matter, will you? The crowds in the days of John the Baptist did, why can’t we be included in this number?

**

“They are only a few noble-spirited souls, who dare take heaven by force, that are fit for this calling.”

- William Gurnall