Chapter Six

Plot Summary
Christian enters a narrow passage beyond which is the Porter's Lodge. In the middle of the path are the two lions that Mistrust and Timorous warned Christian about. They are chained, though Christian does not know this. The Porter, names Watchful, encourages Christian to continue on the path as the lions are chained. Christian, realizing he has no other viable option, proceeds past the lions and reaches the Porter's Lodge.

Watchful welcomes Christian and asks of his travels. Watchful then summons Discretion to meet with Christian. She asks more questions about the reason and nature of his journey.

Discretion then summons three others, Prudence, Piety, and Charity. They have further conversations about his journey and review the events from Chapters 4 and 5 (at Interpreter's house, the Cross, and the Hill of Difficulty). Christian is asked about his thoughts of his old country, of how he gains victory over sinful desires, and why he desires going to Mount Zion. He is also asked about his family, why they are not also on the journey, including why Christian didn't persuade them to come.

They all have dinner and speak about many things of the Lord of the hill, his actions, why he built the Lodge, and that he had did all for the love of his country. They concluded with prayer and retired to bed; Christian's room was Peace.

Practical Information
The lions represent two powers that could inhibit pilgrims on their journeys, specifically the civil authority (King Charles II) and the ecclesiastical authority (Anglican Church).

Study Questions
1) What do the Lions (and the chains) represent in Christian's life?

2) What advice did Christian receive from Watchful?

3) What happened when Christian took this advice?

4) According to Watchful, why was the Lodge built? Who built the Lodge?

5) (feel free to review anything you noted of interest in Christian's conversation with Discretion, Prudence, Piety, and Charity)

6) How does Christian gain victory over sin?

7) How did Christian handle the decision to leave his wife and children?

8) What made Christian love the Lord even more than he had previously?

My Answers (maybe correct, maybe not)
6) Christian gains victory over sinful desires by:

- looking at / remembering the Cross

- looking at his new clothes (he is a "new creation")

- looking into his Roll (remembering his assurance of salvation)

- thinking about where he is going (Mount Zion)