1662

the Church with their friends and neighbours; and there standing together, the man on the right hand, and the woman on the left, the Priest shall say,

D'

EARLY 'beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church: which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men; and therefore 'is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained.

First, It was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name.

One was, the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and praise of God.

Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency, might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body.

Secondly, It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body. Thirdly, It was ordained for the Thirdly, for the mutual somutual society, help and comfort, that ciety, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

I

And also, speaking unto the persons that shall be married, he shall say,

REQUIRE and charge you both (as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed) that if either of you know any impediment why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, "ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as "are coupled together otherwise than God's Word doth allow, are not joined together by God; neither is their matrimony lawful.

D'

EARLY beloved friends, we are gathered together here in the

sight of God, and in the face of his congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honourable 12 state, instituted of God in Paradise, in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy 12 state Christ adorned and beautified with his presence and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul, to be honourable among all men; and therefore is not to be enterprised, nor taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for the which matrimony was ordained.

"One was, the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and praise of God. Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that 15 such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body. Thirdly, for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity into the which holy state these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can shew any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

:

12

I

And also speaking to the persons that shall be married, he shall say,

REQUIRE and charge you, (as you will answer at the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed) that if either of you do know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, that ye confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as be coupled together, otherwise than God's word doth allow, are not "joined together by God, neither is their matrimony lawful.

9

you [S. L.]

" be [1604] IS. L.]

13 for which [1552]

one cause was, &c. [1549]

17 joined of God, [1549]

15 such persons as be married might live chastely in matrimony and keep

themselves, &c. [1549]

16 joined so together [1549]

At which day of marriage, if any man do alledge and declare any impediment, why they may not be coupled together in Matrimony, by God's Law, or the Laws of this Realm; and will be bound, and sufficient sureties with him, to the parties; or else put in a caution (to the full value of such charges as the persons to be married 1 do thereby sustain) to prove his allegation; Then the solemnization must be deferred, 2 until such time as the truth be tried.

If no impediment be alledged, then shall the 3 Curate say unto the Man,

N.

WILT thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as 'ye both shall live?

N.

The Man shall answer,

I will.

Then shall the Priest say unto the Woman,

WILT thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as 'ye both shall live?

The Woman shall answer,

I will.

Then shall the Minister say,

Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

Then shall they give their troth to each

other in this manner.

The Minister, receiving the woman at her father's or friend's hands, shall cause the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand, and to say after him as followeth.

I

And the Minister receiving the woman at her father's or friend's hands, shall cause the man to take the woman by the right hand, and so either to give their troth to other, the man first saying,

N. take thee N. to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

Then shall they loose their hands: and the woman, with her right hand taking the man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the Minister,

I

Then shall they loose their hands, and the woman taking again the man by the right hand, shall say,

N. take thee N. to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, 'till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

6

Finnich dea of worciare, il any man do all dge and decler, an impediment, why in mat, igory Gon sune, of the canes of this

; and all sunt, are affcrene swell's wich aim, fo the parties; or els palau cepap tu chepi, "alue of such charges as the persons to be married do sastola, to prove his ath vition; then the solemnization, mast be deferred, unto such ten aste bath be Dict.

ala od, then shall the Carale say unto the man,

WILT thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her, in sickness, and in health? And forsaking all other, keep thee only to her, so long as you both shall live?

N;

The Man shali answer.

I will.

Then shell the P3st sou to the wongth,

WILT thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him, in sickness and in health? And forsaking all other, keep thee only "to him, so long as you both shall live?

Who giveth this woman to be married unto this man?

the Mulder, ric ang th we aun at Ler folhar, or friend's hands, shall cause Like the aromes, ng tuc right hand, and so aiger to give then trudu to me si song,

I

N. take thee N. to my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us depart, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

then shutil the loose their hands; god the son an tukin, again the mar nú the right

I

N. take thee N. to my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us depart, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

7 till death do us depart [S. L.]

alledge any, &c. [1549]

12

to this [1549]

9 in matrimony; and will be bound, and sureties with him to, &c. [1549] 10 doth [1552] "unto [1552]

Q Q

Then shall they again loose their hands; and the man shall give unto the woman a ring, laying the same upon the book, with the accustomed duty to the Priest and Clerk. And the Priest, taking the ring, shall deliver it unto the man, to put it upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand.

And the man holding the ring there, and And the man taught by the Priest shall taught by the Priest, shall say, say,

W

ITH this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then the man leaving the ring upon the fourth finger of the woman's lett hand, they shall both kneel down; and the the Minister shall say,

Minister shall say,

Let us pray.

ETERNAL God, creator and preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge,) and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Priest join their right hands together, and say.

Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

Then shall the Minister speak unto the people.

ORASMUCH as N. and N. have consented together in holy wed

Flock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company,

and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

And the Minister shall and this blessing,

Presbyter or Minister [S. L.]