Article 8 — On 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: a woman does not sin if she marries (1 Cor 7:28).

The second error is that of Jovinian, who made marriage equal to virginity, which was spoken about above. (De articulis fidei, a. 4.)

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 it is said in Hebrews: let marriage be honorable among all, and the bed undefiled (Heb 13:4).