Synopsis papismi, that is, A generall viewe of papistry wherein the whole mysterie of iniquitie, and summe of antichristian doctrine is set downe, which is maintained this day by the Synagogue of Rome, against the Church of Christ, together with an antithesis of the true Christian faith, and an antidotum or counterpoyson out of the Scriptures, against the whore of Babylons filthy cuppe of abominations: deuided into three bookes or centuries, that is, so many hundreds of popish heresies and errors. Collected by Andrew Willet Bachelor of Diuinity.

The Protestants.

THat matrimonie is no sacrament of the Gospell, speaking now properly, and

vnderstanding a sacrament, for the seale of the grace of God in the remission of our sinnes by Christ, it is thus proued:

Argum. 1. Matrimony was instituted by GOD, before sinne, in Paradise, therefore it can be no sacrament of the Gospell.

Argum. 2. Our aduersaries are contrary to themselues: for they call ma∣trimonie a prophanation of Orders, Martin▪ sect. 15. cap. 11. And they say it is more tolerable for a Priest to keepe many concubines then to marrie, Pighius ex Tileman. Hesbus. loc. 21. Err. 2. Doe these fellowes meane in good sooth, that matrimonie is a sacrament, which they make so vile, polluted and vncleane a thing?

3 In euery sacrament there ought to be an external sensible element, as the matter, and a sanctifiyng word, as the forme: But in matrimony there is neither. Ergo, it is no sacrament.

Bellarm. The forme, are the wordes pronounced by the parties themselues, when they contract matrimonie: I doe take thee, &c. They also themselues are the matter: yea and the Ministers of the sacrament too: For the Iesuite holdeth, that it is a sacrament in the very contract and giuing of mutuall consent, before it be solemnized in the Church, De matrim. cap. 6.

Ans. 1. The sacrament is one thing, and the receiuers another: therefore the maried parties cannot be the sacramental matter, being the receiuers. 2. It is not euery word that sanctifieth, but the word of God, 1. Tim. 4.5. but these words, I take thee, are no parte of the word: Ergo, they want also the forme of a sacra∣ment. 3. The ministers of Christ & preachers of the word are only the dispēsers of the mysteries and sacraments of the Church, 1. Cor. 4.1. Wherefore the par∣ties themselues could not be ministers of matrimonie, if it were a sacrament.

Augustine thus writeth,

Ne quis istam magnitudinem sacramenti in singulis quibusque hominib. vxores habētib. intelligeret, ego autē dico, inquit, &c.* 1.1 Lest any man should think, when the Apostle had said, This is a great sacrament, that this great Sacrament is to be vnderstood of all maried persons, the Apostle addeth, but I speake of Christ and his Church.

But if so be matrimony were a sacrament, why is it not to be found in al maried folke?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tract. in Iohan. 8.