and from the usage approved of since the times of the the Councils, and the tradition of the universal Church pious men of this age have not only had false notions meet the rashness of these men, has thought it proper, love your wives, as Christ also loved the Church, and This is a great sacrament ; but I speak in Christ and according to their wont, under the pretext of the Gospel, the venerable sacraments, earned for us by his passion ; not without great injury to the faithful of Christ, many ancient marriages ; with reason have our holy Fathers, a carnal liberty, they have by word and writing asserted, always taught that it is to be numbered amongst the no man put asunder. touching this venerable sacrament, but, introducing, But, the grace which might perfect that natural love, apostles. The holy and universal Synod, wishing to married, Christ himself, the founder and perfecter of tilings alien from the sentiment of the Catholic Church, in the Church. Whereas, therefore, matrimony, in the 52 ROMAN CATHOLICISM sacraments of the new law, raging against which im- delivered himself up for it ; adding shortly after : evangelical law, excels in grace, through Christ, the of that tie, proclaimed so long before by Adam, by these and confirm that indissoluble union, and sanctify the as the Apostle Paul intimates, saying : Husbands, words : What therefore God hath joined together, let