Matrimony

Matrimony is the seventh Sacrament. It is a sign of the union between 

Christ and the Church. The efficient cause of Matrimony is the mutual 

consent expressed in words effective in the present by the parties.

Matrimony has a threefold good. The first is the birth of children and the 

educating of them to the worship of God. The second is that fidelity which 

one must render to the other; and the third is that it is a Sacrament, or, 

in other words, the indivisibility of Matrimony which shows forth the 

indivisible union of Christ and His Church.

Concerning Matrimony there are a number of errors. The first is that of 

Tatian, who condemned marriage, and against such it is written: "If thou 

take a wife, thou hast not sinned." The second error is that of Jovinian, 

who made marriage equal to virginity. The third is that of the Nicolaitae, 

who mutually exchange their wives. There were also many other heretics who 

taught and worked impurities, and against which are the words of St. Paul: 

"Marriage honorable in all, and the bed undefiled."