How we cite our quotes: Paragraph (P#) or Line (Line #)
Quote #10
"Then I saw in my Dream, that Christian was as in a muse a while. To whom also Hopeful added this word, Be of good cheer, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole; and with that Christian brake out with a loud voice, Oh I see him again, and he tells me, When thou passest through the Waters, I will be with thee; and through the Rivers, they shall not overflow thee." (P897)
A powerful, climactic moment from Christian's passage through death, this reminder from Hopeful, "Jesus Christ maketh thee whole" is the essence of Bunyan's notion of Christian mercy. While Christian fears his unworthiness to face God, thinking of all his failings on the journey, Hopeful's words completely turn this mind-set around. Not only are those failings forgivable; they are necessary to being made whole by Christ. It's also really worth taking a moment to think about why Bunyan stages this realization at the moment of death. Is it simply for dramatic effect?