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'The mysteries are chiefly the two holy Sacraments': Keble, Advent Ember Week, and stewards of the holy mysteries

As we consider extracts from Keble's Advent sermons in his Sermons for the Christian Year: Advent to Christmas Eve, we turn to a sermon for the Third Sunday in Advent, beginning Advent Ember Week.  In referring to the Prayer Book collect of the week, Keble sets forth a vision of ordained ministry that would have been very familiar from Old High pulpits. The "mysteries" referred to in the collect are, he says, the two Sacraments: and note, two Sacraments. The meaning of these Sacraments is expounded by means of the Catechism. Alongside the two Sacraments is preaching, the proclamation of "the mysteries of His Word". Yet again, in other words, we see Keble's Advent preaching suggesting little in the way of a distinctive Tractarian spirituality; instead he is standing firmly in continuity with Old High preaching and piety.

And this so much the more, as we, who minister in the Church of God, whether worthily or unworthily, have a trust in some respects greater than what S. John had; according to the word of Him Who is the Truth: "Among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater prophet than John the Baptist, but he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Because the Baptist could only baptize with water unto repentance; but Jesus Christ, Who hath promised to be with him that is least in the kingdom of heaven, He baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. S. John's baptism was only a sign; but Christ's Baptism, as the Catechism says, is a real "death unto sin and a new birth unto righteousness." Again S. John could only point to our Lord, and say, "Behold the Lamb of God:" but every priest in the Church hath power to give the Body and Blood of Christ: which, as the Catechism says again, "are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lord's Supper." 

Now this is just what our collect means, when it calls us, after S. Paul, ministers and stewards of the mysteries of Christ. The mysteries are chiefly the two holy Sacraments, and the clergy are stewards of them, because to the clergy they are committed. So far we are more highly trusted than even our Lord's first messenger, S. John the Baptist. We have our Lord, not to point to at a distance, but actually to give, in His two Sacraments. By these, and by the mysteries of His Word also, we are to prepare and make ready His way; His way, to come among our people, and take them to Himself ... our work is the same as S. John's; to prepare our Lord's way by preaching of repentance; by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.

(The picture is of Keble's parish church, All Saints, Hursley, Hampshire.)

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