An antidote agaynst poperie: most necessarie for all in this back-slyding age. Wherein 1. The trueth is confirmed, by authoritie of scriptures, witnessing of antiquitie, and confession of the popish partie. 2. Popish scripturall arguments are answered, by the exposition both of father and of their own doctours / by William Guild.

SECT. II. Of MARRIAGE, which the Romanists would proue to bee a Sacrament, by these places following.

[ 1] EPHES. 5.32. This is a great Sacrament. Spea∣king (say they) of Marriage.

Answere. Thou hast not out of this place (prudent Reader) (sayth Cardinall Cajetane,) that Mar∣riage is called by S. PAVLL a Sa∣crament: for hee sayeth not this is a great Sacrament; but, This is a great Mysterie. Where-fore also their late Estius declareth, that it is not proven out of this place, that Marriage is a Sacrament. Yea, it seemeth not to bee playne out of Scripture at all, (sayeth Cathari∣nus) that Matrimonie is a Sacra∣ment, as others are: Nay,* 1.1 it is nowayes a Sacrament, properlie of the Newe Testament at all, (sayeth Durand, as hee is cited by their owne Cassander:) one rea∣son whereof,* 1.2 their owne Lombard giveth to bee this, Because it conferreth not saving or justifying grace: which if it did, they were injurious to their Clergie, who depriue them thereof.

1. TIM. 2.15. Not-with∣standing, [ 2] shee shall bee saved by

Chylde-bearing: to wit, the Wyfe. Therefore, (saye they) seeing heere wee see saving grace conferred by Marriage, Marriage is a Sacrament.

Aunswere. This is ascrybed to Chylde-bearing in Marriage, and not to Marriage it selfe: for there are sundry Marriages, where there is no Chylde-bearing at all; and others, where it is long delayed, as Sarahs and Elizabeths. Next: It is sayde in the TEXT, If they continue in Fayth, and Chari∣tie, and Holinesse, with Sobrietie. And there are none, (I hope) who will denye, but if those who liue in a single lyfe, contine in these Graces, they shall bee no lesse saved.

To vnderstand, then, the mea∣ning of this place rightlie, we haue the same phrase, ACT. 14.22. where it is sayde, that by manie afflictions, wee must enter into the Kingdome of GOD: and

yet Afflictions them-selues con∣ferre not Grace, or are there-fore Sacramentes. But, as by Affli∣ctions, even so by Chylde-birth in payne, (as one sorte there-of) if Wyues haue these saving Gra∣ces heere spoken of, they shall bee saved, and enter into the King∣dome of GOD. Their bearing of Children also beeing the Fun∣ction of that Sexe, and estate of lyfe, where-vnto they are called; where-in, (sayeth their Bishop Espenceus) if they walke sincerelie, wee deject not so farre that Sexe, but that they shall bee also Part∣takers of Salvation.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ca∣thar. 4. de Ma∣trim.
• * 1.2

  Cas∣sand. cōsult art. 13.