BEFORE – 14 

     Like the leaven that a certain woman hid in three measures of meal, the Science of God and the spiritual idea, named in this century Christian Science, is leavening the lump of human thought, until the whole shall be leavened and all materialism disappear. This action of the divine energy, even if not acknowledged, has come to be seen as diffusing richest blessings. This spiritual idea, or Christ, entered into the minutiae of the life of the personal Jesus. It made him an honest man, a good carpenter, and a good man, before it could make him the glorified.  (Eddy, Mary Baker, Miscellaneous Writings, p.166:22)

BEFORE – 13

     Man’s existence is a problem to be wrought in divine Science. What progress would a student of science make, if, when tired of mathematics or failing to demonstrate one rule readily, he should attempt to work out a rule farther on and more difficult — and this, because the first rule was not easily demonstrated? In that case he would be obliged to turn back and work out the previous example, before solving the advanced problem. Mortals have the sum of being to work out, and up, to its spiritual standpoint. They must work out of this dream or false claim of sensation and life in matter, and up to the spiritual realities of existence, before this false claim can be wholly dispelled. Committing suicide to dodge the question is not working it out. The error of supposed life and intelligence in matter, is dissolved only as we master error with Truth. Not through sin or suicide, but by overcoming temptation and sin, shall we escape the weariness and wickedness of mortal existence, and gain heaven, the harmony of being. (Eddy, Mary Baker, Miscellaneous Writings, p.52:21)

BEFORE – 12

     The body is governed by mind; and mortal mind must be improved, before the body is renewed and harmonious, — since the physique is simply thought made manifest.  (Eddy, Mary Baker, Miscellaneous Writings, p.34:6)

BEFORE – 11

     The belief that existence is contingent on matter must be met and mastered by Science, before Life can be understood and harmony obtained. (Eddy, Mary Baker, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures, p.427:9)

BEFORE – 10

     Our Master asked: “How can one enter into a strong man’s house and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man?” In other words: How can I heal the body, without beginning with so-called mortal mind, which directly controls the body? When disease is once destroyed in this so-called mind, the fear of disease is gone, and therefore the disease is thoroughly cured. Mortal mind is “the strong man,” which must be held in subjection before its influence upon health and morals can be removed. This error conquered, we can despoil the strong man of his goods, – namely, of sin and disease. (Eddy, Mary Baker, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures, p.399:29-19)

BEFORE – 9

     Strangely enough, we ask for material theories in support of spiritual and eternal truths, when the two are so antagonistic that the material thought must become spiritualized before the spiritual fact is attained. So-called material existence affords no evidence of spiritual existence and immortality. Sin, sickness, and death do not prove man’s entity or immortality. Discord can never establish the facts of harmony. Matter is not the vestibule of Spirit.  (Eddy, Mary Baker, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures, p.355:32)

BEFORE – 8

     Unless the harmony and immortality of man are becoming more apparent, we are not gaining the true idea of God; and the body will reflect what governs it, whether it be Truth or error, understanding or belief, Spirit or matter. Therefore “acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace.”  Be watchful, sober, and vigilant. The way is straight and narrow, which leads to the understanding that God is the only Life. It is a warfare with the flesh, in which we must conquer sin, sickness, and death, either here or hereafter, – certainly before we can reach the goal of Spirit, or life in God. (Eddy, Mary Baker, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures, p.324:7)

BEFORE – 7

When understanding changes the standpoints of life and intelligence from a material to a spiritual basis, we shall gain the reality of Life,
the control of Soul over sense, and we shall perceive Christianity, or Truth, in its divine Principle. This must be the climax before  harmonious and immortal man is obtained and his capabilities revealed. It is highly important – in view of the immense work to be accomplished before this recognition of divine Science can come – to turn our thoughts towards divine Principle, that finite belief may be prepared to relinquish its error. (Eddy, Mary Baker, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures, p.322:3)