The grand debate between the most reverend bishops and the Presbyterian divines appointed by His Sacred Majesty as commissioners for the review and alteration of the Book of common prayer, &c. : being an exact account of their whole proceedings : the most perfect copy.

Of the Form of solemnization of Matrimony.

THe man shall give the woman a Ring, &c. shall surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof the * 1.1 Ring given and received is a token and pledge, &c.

Seeing the Ceremony of the Ring in marriage is made neces∣sary * 1.2 to it, and a significant sign of the vow and covenant betwixt the parties: and Romish Ritualists give such reasons for the insti∣tution and use of the Ring, as are either frivolous or superstitious: It is desired that this Ceremony of the Ring in marriage may be left indifferent to be used or forborn.

The man shall say with my body I thee worship, &c.

This word (worship) being much altered in the use of it, since this form was first drawn up. We desire some other word may be * 1.3 used instead of it.

In the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the holy Ghost &c.

These words being only used in baptism, and here in the so∣lemnization of Matrimony, and in the absolution of the sick, We * 1.4 desire it may be considered whither they should not here be o∣mitted, lest they should seem to favour those that count Matrimo∣ny a Sacrament.

Till death us depart.

This word depart is here improperly used. * 1.5

Then the Mioister or Clerke going to the Lords Table shall say or * 1.6 sing this Psalm.

The Psalm ended, & the man and woman kneeling before the Lords Table, the Priest standing at the Table, and turning his face, &c. * 1.7

We conceive the change of place and posture mentioned in these two Rubricks, is needless, and therefore desire it to be o∣mitted. * 1.8

Consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery. Seeing the institution of Matrimony was before the fall, and so * 1.9 before the promise of Christ, as also for that the said passage in * 1.10 the Collect seems to countenance the opinion of making Matri∣mony a Sacrament, we desire that clause may be altered or o∣mitted.

Then shall begin the Communion, and after the Gospel shall be said a Sermon, &c. * 1.11

The new married persons, the same day of their marriage must receive the holy Communion. * 1.12

This Rubrick doth either inform all such as are unfit for the Sacrament to forbear marriage, contrary to Scripture, which * 1.13 approves the marriage of all men, or else compels all that marry to come to the Lords Table though never so unprepared. And therefore we desire it may be omitted, the rather because that marriage festivals are too often accompanied with such diver∣tisements as are unsutable to those Christian duties, which ought to be before and follow after the receiving that holy Sacrament.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rub.
• * 1.2

  Excep.
• * 1.3

  Excep.
• * 1.4

  Excep.
• * 1.5

  Excep.
• * 1.6

  Rub.
• * 1.7

  Next Rub.
• * 1.8

  Excep.
• * 1.9

  Collect.
• * 1.10

  Excep.
• * 1.11

  Rub.
• * 1.12

  Lastrub.
• * 1.13

  Excep.