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At the day and time appointed for Solemnization of Matrimony, the Persons to be married standing together, the Man on the right-hand, and the IVoman on the left, the Minister 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 between 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 St. Paul to be honourable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, or 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.

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 mutual society, 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.

And also speaking unto the Persons that are to be married, he shall say,

REQUIRE and charge you both, (as you 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 you may, not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, you do now confess it. For ye be 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.

If no Impediment be alleged, then shall the Minister say unto the Mun,

M.

WILT thou have this Woman to thy

WILT
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 you both shall live.

N.

The Man shall answer,

I will.

Then shall the Minister say unto the Woman,
TILT thon have this Man to thy wedded

W Husband, to live together after God's

ordinance, in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, serve him, love, honour, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as you both shall live.

The Woman shall answer,

I will..

Then the Minister shall cause the Man with his right-hand to take the Woman by her right-hand, and to say after him as followeth:

I Meaked to hold, from this day forward, for

M. take thee N. to be my wedded Wife, to

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 faith.

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,

IN

N. take thee M. to be 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 ordi nance; and thereto I give thee my faith.

Then the 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, 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 Minister 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:

Fo

ORASMUCH as M. and N. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto

have pledged their faith either to other, and have declared the same by joining of hands; I pronounce that they are Man and Wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

G

And the Minister shall add this blessing:

OD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and. so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting, Amen, Then the Minister shall say,

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Answ. Christ, have mercy upon us.
Minist. Lord, have mercy upon us.

UR Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy Will be done in earth, as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Minist. O Lord, save thy servant and thy handmaid;

Answ. And let them put their trust in thee. Minist. O Lord, send them help from thy holy place;

Answ. And evermore defend them.

Minist. Be unto them a tower of strength,
Answ. From the face of their enemy.

Minist. O Lord, hear our prayer;

Answ. And let our cry come unto thee.

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Minister.

GOD of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, bless these thy servants, and sow the seed.

of eternal life in their hearts, that whatsoever in thy holy Word they shall profitably learn, they may in deed fulfil the same. Look, O Lord, mercifully upon them from heaven, and bless them. And as thou didst send thy blessing upon Abraham and Sarah, to their great comfort; so vouchsafe to send thy blessing upon these thy servants; that they, obeying thy will, and always being in safety under thy protection, may abide in thy love unto their lives' end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. This Prayer next following shall be omitted, where the Woman is past child-bearing.

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MERCIFUL Lord and heavenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankind is increased; We beseech thee, assist with thy blessing these two persons, that they may both be fruitful in the procreation of children, and also live together so long in godly love and honesty, that they may see their children christianly and virtuously brought up, to thy praise and honour, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GOD, who by thy mighty power hast made

all things of nothing, who also (after other things set in order) didst appoint that out of man. (created after thine own image and similitude) woman should take her beginning: and knitting them together, didst teach that it should never be lawful to put asunder those whom thou by Matrimony hadst made one: O God, who hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery, that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage and unity between Christ and his Church: Look mercifully upon these thy servants, that both this man may love his wife, according to thy Word, (as Christ did love his spouse the Church, who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing it, even as his own flesh,) and also that this woman may be loving and amiable, faithful and obedient to her husband: and in all quietness, sobriety, and peace, be a fof-"

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