The booke of common prayer, and administration of the sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.

❧The forme of solemnization of Matrimonie.

First, the Banes must be asked three seuerall Sundayes or holy dayes, in the time of seruice, the people being present after the accustomed maner.

And if the persons that should be maried, dwell in diners Parishes, the Banes must be asked in both Parishes: and the Curate of the one Parish shall not solemnize Matrimonie betwixt them, without a Certificate of the Banes being thrise asked, from the Curate of the other Parish.

At the day appointed for solemnization of Matrimonie, the persons to be maried, shall come into the body of the Church, with their friends and neighbours And there the Priest shall say thus.

DEarely beloued friends, we are ga∣thered together heere in the sight of God, and in the face of his Con∣gregation, to ioyne together this man and this woman in holy Ma∣trimonie, which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in Para∣dise, in the time of mans innocen∣cie, signifying vnto vs the mystical vnion that is betwixt Christ and his Church: which holy estate Christ adorned & beautified with his presence, and first mira∣cle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of S. Paul to bee honourable among all men, and therefore is not to bee enterprised nor taken in hand vnaduisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfie mens carnall lusts and appetites, like brute beastes that haue no vnderstanding, but reuerently,

discreetely, aduisedly, soberly, and in the feare of God, duely considering the causes for which Matrimonie was ordeined. One was, the procreation of children, to be brought vp in the feare and nurture of the Lord, and prayse of God, Secondly it was ordeined for a remedie against sinne, and to auoide for∣nication, that such persons as haue not the gift of continencie, might marrie, and keepe themselues vndefiled members of Christs body. Thirdly, for the mutual societie, hilpe, and com∣fort, that the one ought to haue of the other, both in prosperi∣tie & aduersitie, into the which holy estate these two persons present come now to be ioyned. Therfore if any man can shew any iust cause, why they may not lawfully be ioined together, let him now speake, or else hereafter for euer hold his peace.

And also speaking to the persons that shalbe married, he shal say.

I Require and charge you (as you will answere at the dreadfull day of iudgement, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed) that if either of you doe know any impediment, why yee may not bee lawfully ioyned together in Matrimonie, that ye confesse it. For be ye well assured, that so many as be coupled together otherwise then Gods word doth allow, are not ioy∣ned together by God, neither is their Matrimonie lawfull.

At which day of mariage, if any man do alleage and declare any im∣pediment, why they may not bee coupled together in Matrimo∣nie, by Gods law or the lawes of this Realme, and wil be bound, and sufficient suerties with him to the parties, or els put in a cau∣tion to the full value of such charges as the persons to be married doe sustaine, to prooue his allegation: then the solemnization must be deferred, vnto such time as the trueth be tried. If no im∣pediment be alleaged, then shall the Curate say vnto the man.

N. Wilt thou haue this woman to thy wedded wife, to liue together after Gods ordinance, in the holy estate of Ma∣trimonie? Wilt thou loue her, comfort her, honour, and keepe her in sicknesse and in health? and forsaking all other, keepe thee onely vnto her, so long as you both shall liue?

The man shall answere.

I will.

Then shall the Priest say vnto the woman.

N. Wilt thou haue this man to thy wedded husband, to liue together after Gods ordinance, in the holy estate of Matrimony? wilt thou obey him, and serue him, loue, honour, and keepe him in sicknesse and in health? and forsa∣king all other, keepe thee onely vnto him, so long as you both shall liue?

The woman shall answere.

I will.

Then shall the Minister say.

Who giueth this woman to be maried to this man?

And the Minister receiuing the woman at her fathers or friends hands, shall cause the man to take the woman by the right hand, and so either to giue their troth to other, the man first saying.

IN. take thee N. to my wedded wife, to haue and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sicknesse and in health, to loue, cherish, and to o∣bey, till death vs depart, according to Gods holy ordinance: and thereto I giue thee my troth.

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

IN. take thee N. to my wedded husband, to haue and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sicknesse and in health, to loue, cherish, and to o∣bey, till death vs depart, according to Gods holy ordinance: and thereto I giue thee my troth.

Then shall they againe loose their hands, and the man shall giue vnto the woman a Ring, laying the same vpon the booke, with the accustomed duety to the Priest and Clarke. And the Priest taking the Ring, shall deliuer it vnto the man to put it vpon the fourth finger of the womans left hand. And the man taught by the Priest, shall say.

With this Ring I thee web, with my body I thee wor∣ship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the holy Ghost. Amen.

Then the man leauing the Ring vpon the fourth finger of the womans left hand, the Minister shall say.

Let vs pray.
O Eternall God, Creatour and preseruer of all man∣kinde, giuer of all spirituall grace, the authoue of euerlasting life, send thy blessing vpon these thy seruants, this man and this woman, whome we blesse in thy Name, that as Isahac and Rebecca liued faith∣fully together, so these persons may surely perfourme and keepe the vowe and couenant betwixt them made (whereof this Ring giuen and receiued is a token and pledge) and may euer remaine in perfect loue and peace together, and liue ac∣cording to thy lawes, through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

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

Those whome God hath ioyned together, let no man put a∣svnder.

Then shall the Minister speake vnto the people.

FOrasmuch as N. and N. haue consented together in holy wedlocke, and haue witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto haue giuen and pledged their troth either to other, and haue declared the same by giuing and receiuing of a Ring, and by ioyning of hands, I pronounce that they be man and wife together, In the name of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the holy Ghost. Amen.

And the Minister shall adde this blessing.

GOD the Father, God the Sonne, God the holy Ghost, blesse, preserue, and keepe you, the Lorde mercifully with his fauour looke vpon you, and so fill you with all spirituall benediction and grace, that you may so liue together in this life, that in the worlde to come you may haue life euerlasting, Amen.

Then the Minister or Clearkes going to the Lords table, shall say or sing this Psalme following.

BLessed are al they that feare the Lord: and walke in his wayes. * 1.1

For thou shalt eat the labour of thy hands: O well is thee, and happy shalt thou be.

Thy wife shalbe as the fruitfull Vine: vpon the walles of thy house.

Thy children like the Oliue branches: round about thy table.

Loe, thus shall the man be blessed: that feareth the Lord.

The Lord from out of Sion shall so blesse thee: that thou shall see Hierusalem in prosperitie all thy life long.

Yea, that thou shalt see thy childrens children: and peace vpon Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Sonne: and to the holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and euer shalbe: world without ende. Amen.

Or this Psalme.

GOD be merciful vnto vs, * 1.2 and blesse vs: and shew vs the light of his countenance, and be mercifull vnto vs.

That thy way may be knowen vpon the earth: thy sauing health among all nations.

Let the people prayse thee, O God: yea, let all the people prayse thee.

O let the nations reioyce and be glad: for thou shalt iudge the folke righteously, & gouerne the nations vpon the earth.

Let the people praise thee, O God: let all the people praise thee.

Then shall the earth bring foorth her increase: and God, men our olvne God, shall giue vs his blessing.

God shal blesse vs: and all the ends of the world shal feare him.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

As it was in the beginning, &c.

The Psalme ended, and the man and the woman kneeling afore the Lordes Table, the Priest standing at the Table, and turning his face toward them, shall say.

Lord haue mercie vpon vs.

Answere. Christ haue merry vpon vs.

Minister. Lord haue mercie vpon vs.

¶ Our Father which art in heauen, &c.

And leade vs not into tempatation.

Answere. But deliuer vs from euill. Amen.

Minister. O Lord saue thy seruant, and thy handmaid.

Answere. Which put their trust in thee.

Minister. O Lord send them helpe from thy holy place.

Answere. And euermore defend them.

Minister. Be vnto them, a towre of strength.

Answere. From the face of their enemie.

Minister. O Lord heare our prayer.

Answere. And let our crie come vnto thee.

Minister. O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Iacob, blesse these thy seruants, and sow the seede of eter∣nall life in their mindes, that whatsoeuer in thy holy worde they shall profitably learne, they may in deede fulfill the same. Looke, O Lord, merci∣fully vpon them from heauen, and blesse them. And as thou diddest send thy blessing vpon Abraham and Sara, to their great comfort: So vouchsase to send thy blessing vpon these thy seruants, that they obeying thy will, and alway being in safetie vnder protection, may abide in thy loue vnto their liues ende, through Iesus Christ ou Lord. Amen.

This prayer next following, shall be omitted, where the woman is past childe birth.

O Mercifull Lord and heauenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankinde is increased: we beseech thee assist with thy blessing these two persons, that they may both bee fruitfull in procreation of children, and also liue together so long in godly loue and ho∣nestie, that they may see their childrens children, vnto the thirde and fourth generation, vnto thy prayse and honour,

through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, which by thy mighty power hast made all things of nought, which also (after other things set in order) didst appoint that one of man (created after thine owne image & sinu∣litude) woman should take her beginning: and knitting them together, didst teach that it should neuer bee lawfull to put asvnder those, whom thou by Matrimonie hadst made one: O God, which hast consecrated the state of Matrimonie to sush and ex∣cellent my sterie, that in it is signified & represented the spirtu∣all marriage & vnitie betlvixt Christ and his Church: Looke mercifully vpon these thy seruants, that both this man may loue his wife, according to thy worde, (as Christ did loue his spouse the Church, who gaue himselfe for it, louing & cherish∣ing it, euen as his owne flesh) and also that this woman may be louing and amiable to her husband as Rachel, wise as Re∣becca, faithful and obedient as Sara, and in all quietnesse, so∣brietie, & peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O Lord, blesse them both, and grant them to inharite thy euer∣lasting kingdome, through Iesus Chraist our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Priest say.
ALmighty God, which at the beginning did create our first parents Adam and Eue, and did sanctifie and ioyne them together in marriage: powre vp∣on you the riches of his grace, sanctifie and blesse you, that yee may please him both in body and soule, and liue together in holy loue vnto your liues end. Amen.

Then shal begin the Communion. And after the Gospel, shalbe said a Sermon, wherein ordinarily (so oft as there is any mariage) the office of a man and wife shall bee declared, according to holy Scripture. Or if there bee no Sermon, the Minister shall reade this that followeth.

ALl yee which be married, or which intend to take the holy estate of Matrimonie vpon you, heare what holy Scripture doeth say as touching the duetie of husbandes towards their wiues, and wiues towards their husbands.

Saint Paul in his Epistle to the Ephesians the fift Chap∣ter, doeth giue this commandement to all married men, Yee husbands, loue your wiues, euen as Christ loued the Church, and hath giuen himselfe for it, to sanctfie it, purging it in the fountaine of water, through the worde, that he might make it vnto himselfe a glorious congregation, not hauing spot or wrinckle, or any such thing, but that it should bee holy and blamelesse. So men are bound to loue their owne wiues, as their owne bodies. He that loueth his owne wife, loueth him∣selfe: For neuer did any man hate his owne flesh, but nouri∣sheth and cherisheth it, euen as the Lord doeth the congrega∣tion: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leaue father & mother, and shall be ioyned vnto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This mysterie is great: but I speake of Christ, and of the congregation. Neuerthelesse, let euery one of you so loue his owne wife euen as himselfe.

Like wise same Saint Paul writing to the Colossians, * 1.3 speaketh thus to all men that be married, Ye men loue your wiues, and be not bitter vnto them.

Heare also what S.Peter the Apostle of Christ, * 1.4 which was himselfe a maried man, sayed vnto all men that are maried, Yee husbands, dwell with your wiues according to know∣ledge, giuing honor vnto the wife, as vnto the weaker vessel, and as heires together of the grace of life, so that your pray∣ers be not hindred.

Hitherto yee haue heard the duetie of the hunsband toword the wife. Now likewife ye wiues, heare and learne your due∣ties towards your husbands, euen as it is plainely set foorth in holy Scripture.

Saint Paul, * 1.5 in the forenamed Epistle to the Ephesians, teacheth you thus: Ye women, submit your selues vnto your owne husbands, as vnto the Lord. For the husband is the wiues head, euen as Christ is the head of the Church, and hee is also the Sauiour of the whole body.

Therefore as the Church or Congregation is subiect vnto Christ, So likewise let y^e wiues also be in subietion vnto their owne hubands in all things. And againe hee sayth, Let the

wife reuerence her husband. And in his Epistle to the Colos∣sians, S.Paul giueth you this short lesson, Ye wiues, submit your selues vnto your owne husbands, as it is conuenient in the Lord.

Saint Peter also doth instruct you very godly, thus say∣ing, Let wiues be subiect to their owne husbandes, so that if any obey not the worde, they may bee wonne without the worde, by the conuersation of the wiues, while they beholde your chaste conuersation coupled with feare. Whole apparell let it not bee outward, with broyded haire, and trimming a∣bout with golde, either in putting on of gorgeous apparell: but let the hid man which is in the heart, bee without all cor∣ruption, so that the spirite be milde and quiet, which is a pre∣cious thing in the sight of God. For after this maner in the olde time did the holy women, which trusted in God, appa∣rell themselues, being subiect to their owne husbandes: as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord, whose daughters yee are made doing well, and not being dismayed with any feare.

The new married persons, the same day of their marriage, must receiue the holy Communion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Beari omnes. Psal. 128.
• * 1.2

  Deus mi∣sereatur. Psal. 67
• * 1.3

  Colos. 3.
• * 1.4

  1. Pet. 3.
• * 1.5

  Ephes. 5.