MATRIMONY.

First the Banns of those who are to be married, may be

published in the Church three several Sundays or Holydays, in this manner ;

I PUBLISH the Banns ed of God in the time of of marriage between M. man's innocency; which of and N. of - If estate Christ adorned and any of

you
know cause or

beautified with his prejust impediment why these sence, and first miracle two persons should not be that he wrought in Cana joined together in matrimo of Galilee; and is comny, ye are to declare it.

mended of St Paul to be This is the first second or honourable among all third] time of asking. men; and therefore is not

by any to be enterprised, When the Persons to be or taken in hand, lightly

married are assembled or unadvisedly; but reverwith their Friends, the ently, discreetly, soberly, Minister shall say,

and in the fear of God.

DEARLY beloved, we And also, speaking to the are gathered together here Persons who are to be in the sight of God, and in married he shall say, the face of this congregation, to join together this IREQUIRE and charge man and this woman in you both, as ye will anmatrimony; which is an swer at the dreadful day of honourable estate, institut- judgment, when the se

crets of all hearts shall be husband, to live together disclosed, that if either of after God's ordinance, in you know any impediment, the estate of matrimony ? why ye may not be lawfully Wilt thou love him, comunited in matrimony, ye fort him, honour and keep do now confess it. For

him, in sickness and in be ye well assured, that so health, in sorrow and in many as are joined togeth- joy; and forsaking allother, er otherwise than God's keep thee only unto him, word doth allow, are not so long as ye both shall joined together by God, live? neither is their matrimony lawful.

The Woman shall answer,

Then shall the Woman like of everlasting life; send wise say after the Minister; thy blessing upon these thy

servants, whom we bless I, N. take thee, M. to in thy name.

Enable my wedded husband, to them to perform the covehave and to hold, from this nant which they have now day forward, for better for

made in thy presence. worse, for richer for poor- May they seriously attend er,

in sickness and in to the duties of the new health, to love and to cher relation in which they ish, till death us do part, stand to each other; that according to God's holy it may not be to them a ordinance and the laws of state of temptation and the land.

sorrow, but of holiness and

comfort; may they live Then shall they loose together in peace and love;

their hands, and the Man and wilt thou, the God of shall give unto the Wo peace and love, be always man a Ring, putting it with them, and lead them upon the fourth finger of in the paths of innocence her left hand. And the and virtue to eternal life; Man holding the Ring through Jesus Christ our there, and taught by the Lord. Amen. Minister, shall say,

Then shall the Minister WITH this ring I thee speak unto the People. wed; with all my worldly goods I thee endow; and FORASMUCH as M. to thee only do I promise and N. have consented toto keep myself, so long as gether in wedlock, and we both shall live. Amen. have witnessed the same

before God and this comThen the minister shall say, pany, and thereto have en

gaged and pledged themselves to each other, and

have declared the same by O ETERNAL God, giving and receiving a ring, creator and preserver of and by joining hands; 1 all mankind, giver of all pronounce that they be spiritual grace, the author Man and Wife; and those

Let us pray

Let us pray

grace; that

whom God hath joined to Then shall he add this gether, let no man put

BLESSING. asunder.

THE Lord God AlThen shall the Minister mighty bless, preserve, and say,

keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you, and fill you with

all spiritual benediction O MERCIFUL God and

ye may so and heavenly Father, who live together in this life, art the guide, the support

that in the world to come and the felicity of all who ye may have life everlastput their trust in thee; we

ing. Amen. beseech thee to bless these thy servants, and give EXHORTATION to the Parthem grace to fear and

ties after marriage; to serve thee all the days of

be read or omitted at their life. May their hearts

the discretion of the Minbe united in the closest

ister. bonds of love and purity; may they be blessings and comforts to one another,

IT will become you to sharers of each other's

consider seriously the sajoys, consolers of each

cred and important engageother's sorrows, and help- ment into which ye have ers to one another in all

entered. Marriage

now

Parent of mankind, to be ligion, as the only foundaa source of the purest sat- tion of present comfort isfactions, to soften the and future hopes. Study unavoidable cares,

and the scriptures and the increase the innocent precepts and example of pleasures of life, by afford- Christ, who alone hath the ing opportunities of shar- words of eternal life. And ing them with most inti

be not extravagant in your mate friend and partner. expectations from the By Christians in particular world; for although it it is to be looked upon as a abound with many innostate of perfect indissolu- cent joys and pleasures, ble friendship, in which ye yet it is not, nor is intendare to carry your regards ed to be, a place of unmixed for each other beyond the prosperity and enjoyment, grave, that ye may so live but a transitory scene of in virtue and holiness here, trial and improvement for a that ye may

live hereafter better and more enduring in that state, where there state. will be no marrying nor The other great end of giving in marriage, but ye marriage is for the well shall be as the angels in ordering of families and heaven. Study then to right education of children. correct what is amiss in This is a matter of the your respective tempers highest moment. For famiand dispositions, which lies are the nurseries and may disturb your mutual schools, in which the suclove and peace. And be cessive generations of men severe censors of your- are to be instructed and selves, but exact not too fitted for their different much one from another stations and employments and bear with each other's in life, to bear their part infirmities, for there is no- and burden in it, to be thing perfect here below. helpful to others, good None are faultless, but all citizens, useful magistrates, are to endeavour to become faithful husbands, virtuous such. Cultivate in your- wives, patterns of all that selves, and in each other, is excellent and worthy in the knowledge and prac- every relation. Of a numtice of virtue and true re

ber of families united, na