t that the population increases
most in those countries in which the Catholic clergy exercise the
strongest influence; for there married people are impressed with the idea
that marriage was instituted not for the gratification of the flesh, but
for the procreation and Christian education of children.

Chapter XXXI.

MATRIMONY.

Matrimony is not only a natural contract between husband and wife, but it
has been elevated for Christians, by Jesus Christ, to the dignity of a
Sacrament: "Husbands," says the Apostle, "love your wives, as Christ also
loved the Church and delivered Himself up for it, ... so also ought men to
love their wives as their own bodies.... For this cause shall a man leave
his father and mother, and shall adhere to his wife and they shall be one
flesh. This is a great sacrament: but I speak in Christ and in the
Church."(536)

In these words the Apostle declares that the union of Christ with His
Church is the type or model of the bond subsisting between man and wife.
Now the union between Christ and His Church is supernatural and sealed by
Divine grace. Hence, also, is the fellowship of a Christian husband and
wife cemented by the grace of God. The wedded couple are bound to love one
another during their whole lives, as Christ has loved His Church, and to
discharge the virtues proper to the married state. In order to fulfil
these duties special graces of our Savior are required.

The Fathers, Councils and Liturgies of the Western and the Oriental
Churches, including the Coptic, Jacobite, Syriac, Nestorian and other
schismatic bodies, which for upwards of fourteen centuries have been
separated from the Catholic communion, all agree in recognizing Christian
marriage as a Sacrament.

Hence the Council of Trent, speaking of Matrimony, says: "Christ Himself,
the Institutor and Perfector of the venerable sacraments, merited for us
by His passion the grace which might perfect that natural love, and
confirm that indissoluble union, and sanctify the married; as the Apostle
Paul intimates, saying: 'Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved
the Church, and delivered Himself for it;' adding shortly after: 'This is
a great sacrament, but I speak in Christ and in the Church.' (Ephes. v.)
Whereas, therefore matrimony, in the evangelical law, excels in grace,
through Christ, the ancient marriages; with reason have our holy Fathers
and Councils and the tradition of the