Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 2.djvu/306

sensible representation of Christ's death, and the contemplation of that death in the mind of the worshippers. Some of the words are strong, for he is persuading others, probably himself also, that his views did not derogate from the doctrine of the Sacraments. "When^[1] then bread and wine, consecrated by the very words of the Lord, are distributed to the brethren at once, is not now whole Christ, as it were, sensibly, (that if words are needed, I may say even more than is wont) offered to the senses also? But how? Is his very natural body offered to be handled? By no means; that is offered to be contemplated by the mind, but to the senses the sensible sacrament of the thing. For the mind acts more freely and unencumbered, when it is diverted as little as may be, by the senses. When, then, there is presented to the senses what is very similar to that which the mind is engaged in, it is no slight aid to the senses. Add, (which is not least to be accounted of,) that those signs were so instituted by Christ Himself, that, by their analogy also, they may be of much avail to lead to the thing, as present by faith and contemplation. Whence, since Sacraments were instituted to this end, that they may teach, admonish, and delight sensibly, not less than outward speech, it happens that, having acquired the name of those things, whereof they are the signs, and which are themselves the real refreshment of the mind, they inflame the mind more vehemently than if any one were to think over the Divine goodness, however religiously, without them." Zuingli's positive view of the Sacraments is completed by the other passage, part of which is quoted by his Apologist; "Since^[2], then, it is irrefragable that in Baptism and the Eucharist, that which is signified by the Sacraments is ours before we use the Sacraments, what reason is there in attributing to the Sacraments what we had before? since Sacraments make confession of, attest, and exercise only what we had before, how long shall we tempt the Spirit of God in a matter so plain? Are then the Sacraments in vain? by no means, as was said. For they preach the salvation which has been given by God, they

1. Ad. P. G. f. 546.
2. Ibid. f. 547. v. 548.