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