it were, he makes a spiritual meditation
on the pieces of the 'panoply' which were continually under his
observation.

We are, then, to 'take up' or 'put on' the panoply or whole armour of
God. This means more than the armour which God supplies. It is
probably like 'the righteousness of God,' something which is not only a
gift of God, but a gift of His own self. Our righteousness is Christ,
and He is our armour. Christ, the 'stronger man,' who overthrew 'the
strong man armed' in His own person[6], and 'took away from him his
panoply in which he trusted,' is to be our defence. And by no external
protection; we are to clothe ourselves in His nature, to put Him on as
our armour. His is the strength in which we are, like Him, to come
triumphant through the hour of darkness.

Now the parts of the armour, the elements of Christ's unconquerable
moral strength, what are they?

{243}

The belt which keeps all else in its place is for the Christian,
truth--that is, singleness of eye or perfect sincerity--the pure and
simple desire of the light. 'Unless the vessel be clean (or sincere)'
said the old Roman proverb, 'whatever you put into it turns sour.' A
lack of sincerity at the heart of the spiritual life will destroy it
all. Then the breastplate which covers vital organs is, for the
Christian, righteousness--the specific righteousness of Christ, St.
Paul seems to imply[7], in which in its indivisible unity he is to
enwrap himself. And, as the feet of the soldier must be well shod not
only for protection but also to facilitate free movement on all sorts
of ground, the Christian too is to be so possessed with the good
tidings of peace that he is 'prepared' to move and act under all
circumstances--all hesitations, and delays, and uncertainties which
hinder movement gone--his feet shod with the preparedness which belongs
to those who have peace at the heart. ('How beautiful upon the
mountains are the feet of him that bringeth glad tidings, that
publisheth peace.') In these three fundamental
dispositions--single-mindedness, whole-hearted {244} following of
Christ, readiness such as belongs to a believer in the good
tidings--lies the Christian's strength. But the armour is not yet
complete. The attacks of the enemy upon the thoughts will be frequent
and fiery. A constant and rapid action of the will will be necessary
to protect ourselves from evil suggestions lest they obtain a
lodgement. And the method of self-p