The Third Part of the Pilgrim's Progress

Infobox Book |
name = The Pilgrim's Progress: The Third Part
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = 1761 title page
author = anonymous
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series =
genre = Christian, Allegorical
publisher = "all the booksellers"
release_date = 1693
media_type = Print (Hardback)
pages =
isbn = NA
preceded_by = The Pilgrim's Progress: The Second Part by John Bunyan
followed_by =

"The Pilgrim's Progress: The Third Part" is a pseudepigraphic sequel to John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress written by an anonymous author. It was published with Bunyan's work in editions from 1693 to 1852 because it was believed to be written by Bunyan. [ [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc02.html?term=Bunyan,%20John New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia, vol. 2 "sub loco"] : "A third part falsely attributed to Bunyan appeared in 1693, and was reprinted as late as 1852."] It presents the pilgrimage of Tender-Conscience and his companions. In the 19th century it was bowdlerized to omit a few sexual situations and allusions.

Plot

Tender-Conscience, a native of the town of Vain Delights goes on the pilgrimage of Christian and Christiana to the Celestial City. He stops at some of the same places as they, but he encounters new places not visited by either Christian or Christiana and her party.

All of the lands that are outside of the Wicket Gate are located in the "Valley of Destruction." The time that Tender-Conscience begins his pilgrimage is a time of drought and heat, which are emblematic of the persecution that Christians were subjected to at the time. Some of them are deterred in their progress, and return to their old homes in the Valley of Destruction in the night.

Tender-Conscience has a difficult time crossing the Slough of Despond, and he does not get by it without being covered in mud from it. This mud has the effect of weakening the body, and Tender-Conscience must drag himself along until he is overshadowed by a bright cloud from which a hand appears that washes away the mud enabling Tender-Conscience to continue his journey with vigor.

At the Wicket Gate Tender-Conscience does not escape the arrows shot against callers from the Beelzebub's castle. These sick to his flesh and cause him to bleed profusely. Good-Will lets him in, and registers his name as a pilgrim. He gives Tender-Conscience a crutch that is made of wood from the Tree of Life. This crutch stanches the bleeding and strengthens Tender-Conscience, who must bear with the arrows of Beelzebub until he reaches the House of the Interpreter.

The Interpreter removes the arrows of Beelzebub from Tender-Conscience's body and lodges him for the night, showing him the same emblems and scenes enjoyed by Christian, Christiana, and their children and companions. The next day the Interpreter goes a little way with Tender-Conscience to where the King's Highway is walled on either side by the Wall of Salvation. Before they reach this wall they come to two farms on either side of the way. The farm on the right is well-cared for and the one on the left is in great disrepair. The Interpreter tells Tender-Conscience that this provides an example to pilgrim's that they should be like the caretaker of the farm on the right, who gradually improved his farm until it was in the fine condition that they now found it in.

Tender-Conscience when parted from the Interpreter comes to the place where Christian found the cross and the sepulchre. On either side of the cross were now erected two houses as lodging places for pilgrims. On the right was the House of Mourning, and on the left was the House of Mirth.

Notes