Then shall be sung Psalm cxliv., with the Gloria Blessed be the Lord my strength, &c. For a Young Person about to Engage in any Dccupation in Life. THE HOLY EUCHARIST. In the Prayer of Oblation (after Consecration). Do our prayers. Especially commending unto Thee this Thy servant, who humbly seeks to dedicate himself to Thee, and to follow whithersoever in Thy providence Thou leadest him. Thou dispose his way as may be most expedient for him; prosper him in that which he takes in hand; and give unto him the abundance of Thy grace, that he may fulfil those good resolutions, which he professes before Thee, and in the presence of Thy congregation. R. Amen. The Drder for Solemnization of Marriage. At the time appointed, the Man and Woman, together with the person who is to give the Woman, and at least Two Witnesses, shall come to the foot of the sanctuary. The Priest, after prayer before the altar, shall address those present to the following effect. EARLY beloved, We are gathered together in the presence of God, that this man and this woman may be joined together in holy matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is between Christ and His Church: which holy estate Christ honoured with His presence and the miracle which He wrought in Cana of Galilee; and is commended by St. Paul to be honourable in all men. It may not therefore be enterprised nor taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's lusts; but reverently, discreetly, chastely, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering that marriage was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort of the man and woman, both in prosperity and adversity [and for the procreation of children in holiness; which children should be brought up in the faith of Christ's Church, and in the fear and love of God]. Into which holy estate these two persons present come to be joined; therefore, if any man can shew any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him declare it boldly and in the fear of God. I Then, after a pause, he shall address those to be married: 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 cause or impediment why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it. After again pausing, he shall turn to the altar, and kneeling down, shall say this Prayer: Let us pray. ALMIGHTY GOD, who hast put it into the hearts of these Thy servants to live together in holy matrimony; Grant unto them, we beseech Thee, Thy continual protection and defence. May they enter into their solemn vows in Thy fear, and with full purpose of heart, to live together in holiness, in continence, in mutual love, in the ways of Thy commandments. Bless them, we beseech Thee, from Thy holy habitation, that not in word only, nor outward form, they may be united; but by the operation of Thy Holy Spirit they may be made one spirit in Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, O Father, in the unity of the same Spirit, ever One God, world without end. R. Amen. The Lesson [Gen. ii. 18–24]. The Lord God said, It is not good, &c. After which the Priest shall demand of the Man, M. 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 leaving all other, keep thee only unto her from this day forward, so long as ye shall both live upon the earth? R. I will. Then he shall demand of the Woman, N. 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, serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and leaving all other, keep thee only unto him from this day forward, so long as ye shall both live upon the earth? R. I will. ¶ Then, if the Woman be not a Widow, the Priest shall say, Who gives this woman to be married to this man? The Priest, receiving the Woman from the hands of her Father or Friend, shall cause the Man with his right hand to take the Woman by her right hand, and to say after him as follows: I, M. 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, cherish, and protect, and to uphold in the faith of Christ's Church, and in the ways of God's commandments, according to His holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my troth. Then they shall loose hands, and in like manner the Woman shall take the Man by his right hand, and repeat, I, N. take thee M. 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 obey, and to be helpful unto thee in the faith of Christ's Church, and in the ways of God's commandments, according to His holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth. Here the Man shall give the ring (or such other similar permanent token as may be in use) to the Priest, who shall re-deliver it to the Man, and he shall place it on the Woman's finger (or otherwise deliver it to her, as is accustomed), and shall repeat after the Minister: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, I wed thee; I endow thee with all my worldly goods; and I receive thee to the fellowship of my honour. The Man and Woman shall kneel, the Priest shall say this Prayer: 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, whom in Thy Name we bless: and grant that they 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 to |