Excerpt from The Sacraments: A Course of Seven Sermons
"Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and dispensers of the mysteries of God." - I. Cor. iv. I.
Synopsis. - Introduction. - The Church of Christ, like Christ, her spouse, the way, the truth, and the life: pointing out the way in the commandments, teaching the truth in the creed, giving life in the Sacraments, what the Christ life is, and how nourished by the Sacraments.
I. A "Sacrament" defined and explained: (a) A "sacred sign" or symbol; (b) "sensible" and why; (c) "instituted by Jesus Christ," and made after His likeness; (d) "to sanctify and save the souls of men," this being the end of its institution; (e) the Sacraments, seven in number, to supply the seven special needs of the spiritual life.
II. Nature and efficacy of the Sacraments: (a) They signify grace, and (b) bestow it; (c) by a virtue inherent in them; (d) as instruments of the Holy Spirit. Scripture proof of this doctrine.
III. The Sacraments of the Old Law compared and contrasted with the Sacraments of the New: (a) In the manner of operating; (b) in their effect. The former but shadowy tokens, the latter life-giving agencies; by those a ransom promised, by these a ransom wrought. A parable and its application. God's power and wisdom made manifest in the use of material and sensible elements.
IV. Constitution of the Sacraments, made up of "matter" and "form." Meaning and purpose of these.
V. Division of the Sacraments into: (a) Sacraments of the living and of the dead; (b) character imprinting; (c) of necessity, of precept, of free choice.
Conclusion. - This sinful world an untowardly soil for the seed of spiritual life sown by the Sacraments. Dangers to which this life is exposed; care to be taken of it; transplanted to its natal soil it will bloom forever.
"He who hears you hears me," says Christ to the teachers of His Church; and again, "He who hears not the Church, let him be to thee as the heathen and the publican."
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