efficacious than that of the Sacraments of the Old, [1] which, as " weak and needy elements, [2] sanctified such as were defiled to the cleansing of the flesh," [3] but not of the spirit. They were, therefore, instituted as signs only of those things, which were to be accomplished by the Sacraments of the new law Sacraments which flowing from the side of Christ, " who, by the Holy Ghost, offered himself unspotted unto God, cleanse our consciences from dead works, to serve the living God," [4] and thus work in us, through the blood of Christ, the grace which they signify. Comparing them, therefore, with the Sacraments of the old law, we shall find that not only are they more efficacious, but, also, more exuberant of spiritual advantages, and Stamped with the characters of superior dignity and holiness. [5]
The other effect of the Sacraments, an effect, however, not common to all, but peculiar to three, Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders, is the character which they impress on the soul. When the Apostle says: " God hath anointed us, who also hath sealed us, and given the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts," [6] he clearly designates by the word " sealed," this sacramental character, the property of which is to impress a seal and mark on the soul. This character is, as it were, a distinctive and indelible impression stamped on the soul; [7] of which St. Augustine says: " Shall the Christian Sacraments accomplish less than the bodily mark impressed on the soldier? That mark is not stamped on his person anew, as often as he resumes the military service which he had relinquished; but the old one is recognised and approved." [8]
This character has a two-fold effect, it qualifies us to receive or. perform something sacred, and distinguishes us one from another. In the character impressed by Baptism, both effects are exemplified: by it we are qualified to receive the other Sacraments; and the Christian is distinguished from those who pro fess not the name of Christ. The same illustration is afforded by the characters impressed by Confirmation and Holy Orders: by the one we are armed and arrayed as soldiers of Christ, publicly to profess and defend his name, to fight against our domes tic enemy, and against the spiritual powers of wickedness in the high places, and are also distinguished from those who, being newly baptized, are, as it were, new-born infants: the other combines the power of consecrating and administering the Sacraments, and also distinguishes those who are invested with this power, from the rest of the faithful. The rule of the Catholic Church is, therefore, inviolably to be observed: it teaches that these three Sacraments impress a character and are never to be reiterated.
- ↑ Aug. lib, 19 contr. Faust, c. 13, & in Ps. hxxiii. Ambr. lib. de Sacr. c. 4.
- ↑ Gal. iv. 9
- ↑ Heb. ix. 13.
- ↑ Heb. ix. 14.
- ↑ Aug. lib. 2. de Simb. c. 6, & in Joan. Tract. 15, & lib. 15. de Civil. Dei, c. 26
- ↑ 2 Cor. i. 21.
- ↑ Trid ib. can.
- ↑ De hoc charact. vide Aug. lib. 2. contr. ep Farm. c. 33, & ep. 50, circa, medi um, & tract 6, in Joan. & lect. 1. contr. Cresceii. c. 30. item D. Thorn, p. 3. q. 63.
