The money was a guarantee that both sides were serious. The same word was also employed in the Roman army. There it designated the oath of loyalty which a soldier pledged to his country and commanding officer. B The Confession of Faith also tells us what sacraments are and what they do. They are visible signs and seals of something internal and invisible, by means of which God works in us through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Sacraments are visible signs.
A sign points to or suggests something. A road sign, for instance, tells us there is a curve or a stop sign ahead. Or, it tells us to turn left or right or to keep going straight ahead in order to get to our destination. Without signs on the road we become lost. This reminds me of what was done in England during the time in World War II when invasion by the Nazis seemed imminent.