"The question what the sacraments give over and above the Word often springs from a religion of works. The secret presupposition is: if it cannot be shown that there is some special advantage with the sacraments there is no point in making use of them, we should rather content ourselves with the Word. If, however, we start with the conviction that it is hard to believe and easy to fall as we journey, then the means of grace do bring grace, are gifts: then we receive them all with gladness when they all give us the same thing." (p. 158, Gustaf Wingren, The Living Word)
This is similar to Calvin, but I think it is better. Calvin seems to imply that ideally we wouldn't need the sacraments and the word would be enough, because the Word is more spiritual. He also seems to say that we go beyond the sacrament, so that we can leave it behind.
"the sacraments have the same office as the Word of God: to offer and set forth Christ to us" (Institutes, 4.14.17)
"our faith is slight and feeble unless it be propped on all sides and sustained by every means, it trembles, wavers, totters, and at last fives way. Here our merciful Lord, according to his infinite kindness, so tempers himself to our capacity that, since we are creatures who always creep upon the ground, cleave to the flesh, and, do not think about or even conceive of anything spiritual, he condescends to lead us to himself even by these earthly elements, and to set before us in the flesh a mirror of spiritual blessings" (Institutes, 4.14.3)
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