Under the marginal heading, "The armor of divinity," Mary Baker Eddy writes on page 571 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you." In her writings she gives explicit directions which, if understood and obeyed, enable the student to realize complete protection from hatred and other phases of evil. The way, she points out, is the way of Christlike thinking. How adequately was her thought clothed in "the armor of divinity"! Ever seeking divine guidance, she defended the Cause which she founded on an immortal foundation. If we would follow our Leader's directions and make practical use of heavenly weapons, we must lovingly and prayerfully take the human footsteps indispensable to a higher demonstration of pure Christianity.
A dictionary defines the word "panoply" in part as "anything defending or protecting completely by covering or enveloping; anything forming a bright or magnificent covering, envelopment, or environment." With the coming of Christian Science, the Comforter promised by Christ Jesus, men have gained a brighter outlook, a higher concept of God, and of brotherly love. Material beliefs fail to protect from harm, to heal the sick, or to spiritualize thought. The honest seeker for Truth is finding, through the revelation of Christian Science, that spiritual thinking is his armor and shield; that healing is accomplished through the application of the undeviating law of divine Principle.
To the spiritually awakened thought the understanding of divine Love as supreme is found to be an armor, a "bright or magnificent covering" indeed, shielding from the darkness of mortal belief. He who seeks refuge within this sacred panoply must enter it unoppressed by worldly ambition, self-righteousness, hatred, or fear. He seeks the understanding of Love, thereby helping both himself and others to rise above a false sense of Life and Love. In the measure that he is conscious of the unity which exists between God and His perfect spiritual creation will he be able to prove false the concept of creation as material and the belief of man as mortal. Likewise, as he discerns God's righteous government, the disunity and powerlessness of material so-called systems become apparent.
