By-path Meadow

"A stile separates it from the beaten track, so that the Pilgrims must go somewhat out of their way in order to pass from the one to the other. Their impatience of the road, and their desire for ease, surprised them into this divergence, and the tempting nature of the meadow-land deceived them. They saw its beginning, but they did not see its destination. Thus does the tempter blind our eyes. The moss-grown meadow, with its pleasant path and its seeming parallel, entices the Pilgrims from the road, and becomes the beginning of sorrows."[1]

Christian Passes the Lions

Ease (The Plain)

"This oasis in the desert was narrow, and extended but a very brief space. Ease is granted to pilgrims, but only for a little time, and for present and passing necessity; and this necessity being answered, they must again take the road, and bear its flints, and endure hardness as good marching soldiers of the heavenly King. It is not well for pilgrims to sit too long 'at ease in Sion.' And soon, recruited and refreshed, they must up and away for the onward journey. So our Pilgrims, entering on the plain of Ease, 'were quickly got over it.' And as this refreshment was for compensation of the past, so is it also designed as a preparation for a danger soon to come."[1]

Christian Finds the Lost Roll

Hopeful

"A well-chosen name, especially as the successor of FAITHFUL. Faith first, and then Hope; first the ground-work, then the superstructure. We are here for the first time introduced to one who ever after proves a meet companion and profitable help to CHRISTIAN, amid all the changing scenes of their chequered course."[1]

Mistrust and Timorous

Pickthank

"This is a suggestive name, and partly tells the nature of the man. He is a person who gathers what merit he can by volunteering evidence against faithful men."[1]

Superstition

"This is also an element of accusation still urged against the true Christian. It means more than is implied in the ordinary use of the term. It includes all that formal worship which is opposed to the service of true faith."[1]

Envy

"This witness still continues to accuse the men of God. Envy is that spirit of the evil mind which calls religion a mere plausible fiction, and, through loyalty to Mammon, scoffs at 'the principles of faith and holiness,' and moreover, would blend into one element the realities of religion and the vanities of Vanity Fair. The true Christian cannot accede to this unholy combination."[1]

Formalist and Hypocrisy Come Over the Wall

Vanity Fair

"This episode of the narrative is intended to represent the world, in its earthly and fleshly character, with its business, and cares, and occupations, and pleasures, and sins, and sorrows, and its vanities in general; thus presenting a picture of the Christian man set in the midst of many and great dangers—in the world, but not of the world; his Christian consistency daily tried and tempted; his heart in danger of being wooed by carnal pleasure, and won to the side of vanity, and thus lost to the Kingdom; yet called to suffer for his attachment to the cause of Jesus. 'Because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.'—John 15:19."[1]

Christian in View of the Cross