Herman Bavinck on the Necessity of the Word and Faith in the Ordinances

From Herman Bavinck, The Certainty of Faith (Ontario: Paideia Press, 1980): 

“Apart from the word [the ordinances] have no value whatsoever and stop being sacraments. They cannot, therefore, signify or convey grace that isn't already included in the word and presented through the word by way of faith. They also presuppose faith in that word. Anyone who doesn't accept that word in faith derives nothing from the sacraments, and by using them he only leaves himself all the more without excuse. Sacraments have been ordained only for believers, for they don't effect what isn't there, but only strengthen what is already there. They do so by their very essence, for they are bound to the word and signs and seals to confirm it.” (89)

“[T]hrough the sacramental confirmation of God's promises believers are strengthened in their faith.” (90)