Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 2.djvu/323

Rh But this is all plain matter of intellect: the Sacraments are then in no mysterious manner channels of grace: they are all outward: Baptism is only an outward introduction into a visible Church, entitling men to, or rather attesting that they have, privileges, but not itself imparting any: it is no more spiritual than the seal, diploma, safe-conduct, to which they compare it. It is an unspiritual attestation of spiritual privileges. The Eucharist, according to this view, does not convey to the soul of the believer the Body and Blood of, but is an external emblem, by the sight and feeding upon which, through the operation of the , the faith of the believer is excited to fix itself upon his. The sacramental participation of becomes the same, as out of the Sacrament. Its mysterious character is resolved into a mere picture. The Sacraments, doubtless, are all this: they are mystical representations to the soul: they are props of faith: they are visible seals of God's promises: they are images of things invisible: they are instruments to lift up our hearts to communion with in : but they are more; and it is here precisely that this school stops short. They are channels