That the sacraments are not immediate conditions of pardon is finally evident from the declaration of the apostle Peter, "The like figure whereunto baptism doth now save us; _not the putting away of the filth of the flesh_, that is, _not the mere outward rite_ of applying the water, but the answer of a good conscience toward God." [Note 21] that is, the faithful performance of the duties to which our Christian profession, made in baptism, obligated us, by keeping a conscience void of offence before God and man.
From all this, it is very clear, that whilst the sacraments are divinely appointed as means and seals of grace, they operate like divine truth, either oral or written, by promoting that great change of heart, without which no man can see God: that where they are received with a living faith, there is indeed pardon of sin or justification; but this pardon is the result of that living faith, the appointed condition of justification, and not of the sacraments, which can only tend to secure pardon by promoting faith.
That these views of the mode of operation of the sacraments, are sustained by many of our ablest divines, is evinced by the following extracts from their works.

_Dr.Mosheim_, one of the greatest ornaments of the Lutheran Church, expressly affirms, "Those who possess _faith_ have the benefits of Christ sealed and confirmed to them.

Let it therefore be remarked, that _faith is necessary to the salutary fruit and effect of the sacraments_, though not required as necessary to their essence (namely, as valid outward ordinances.") [Note 22] The distinguished _Dr.Reinhard_ says, "We attribute to the sacraments a really beneficial influence in effecting our salvation, only in as far as they are used in accordance with their design.

This is a necessary inference from the nature of a ceremony (or rite) in general, which can only then be of any service, when it excites _those views and feelings_, which it is designed to produce." Here this illustrious divine evidently implies that the sacraments exert their influence by promoting certain views and feelings, and that these are the _immediate_ causes of the beneficial results, such as pardon and salvation: consequently the sacraments are mediate, but not immediate conditions of pardon.
One extract more, taken from the "Biblical Theology" of the venerable _Dr.Knapp_, of Halle, edited by _Dr.Guericke_, may suffice: "The power and influence of these several religious ordinances or sacraments, is _not physical_ and _mechanical_, and also _not magical_, or operating by enchantment (or charm.) Nor does the mere external rite exert any influence.

On the contrary, they stand in the most intimate connexion with the doctrines themselves, which they represent, and never exert any influence without them.