It is a sign, an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace; for such sacraments are designed to be. It is a parable to the eye; and in it God uses similitudes, as he did of old by his servants and prophets. In it Christ tells us earthly things, that thereby we may come to be more familiarly acquainted, and more warmly affected , with spiritual and heavenly things. In it Christ speaks to us in our own language, and accommodates himself to the capacitates of our present state.

The Communicant’s Companion by Rev. Matthew Henry, 37.