Whether a Sacrament Is a Sign of One Thing Only?
Objection 1: It seems that a sacrament is a sign of one thing only.
For that which signifies many things is an ambiguous sign, and
consequently occasions deception: this is clearly seen in equivocal
words. But all deception should be removed from the Christian
religion, according to Col. 2:8: "Beware lest any man cheat you by
philosophy and vain deceit." Therefore it seems that a sacrament is
not a sign of several things.
Obj. 2: Further, as stated above (A. 2), a sacrament signifies a holy
thing in so far as it makes man holy. But there is only one cause of
man's holiness, viz. the blood of Christ; according to Heb. 13:12:
"Jesus, that He might sanctify the people by His own blood, suffered
without the gate." Therefore it seems that a sacrament does not
signify several things.
Obj. 3: Further, it has been said above (A. 2, ad 3) that a sacrament
signifies properly the very end of sanctification. Now the end of
sanctification is eternal life, according to Rom. 6:22: "You have
your fruit unto sanctification, and the end life everlasting."
Therefore it seems that the sacraments signify one thing only, viz.
eternal life.
_On the contrary,_ In the Sacrament of the Altar, two things are
signified, viz. Christ's true body, and Christ's mystical body; as
Augustine says (Liber Sent. Prosper.).
_I answer that,_ As stated above (A. 2) a sacrament properly speaking
is that which is ordained to signify our sanctification. In which
three things may be considered; viz. the very cause of our
sanctification, which is Christ's passion; the form of our
sanctification, which is grace and the virtues; and the ultimate end
of our sanctification, which is eternal life. And all these are
signified by the sacraments. Consequently a sacrament is a sign that
is both a reminder of the past, i.e. the passion of Christ; and an
indication of that which is effected in us by Christ's passion, i.e.
grace; and a prognostic, that is, a foretelling of future glory.
Reply Obj. 1: Then is a sign ambiguous and the occasion of deception,
when it signifies many things not ordained to one another. But when
it signifies many things inasmuch as, through being mutually
ordained, they form one thing, then the sign is not ambiguous but
certain: thus this word "man" signifies the soul and body inasmuch as
together they form the human nature. In this way a sacrament
signifies the three things aforesaid, inasmuch as by being in a
certain order they are one thing.
Reply Obj. 2: Since a sacrament signifies that which sanctifies, it
must needs signify the effect, which is implied in the sanctifying
cause as such.
Reply Obj. 3: It is enough for a sacrament that it signify that
perfection which consists in the form, nor is it necessary that it
should signify only that perfection which is the end.
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