An accompt of all the proceedings of the Commissioners of both perswasions, appointed by his sacred Majesty, according to letters patents, for the reveiw [sic] of The book of common prayer, &c.

Of the Form of solemnization of Matrimony.

THe man shall give the waman a Ring, &c. Shall sure∣ly* 1.1 pereform and keep the vow and Covenant betwixt them made, whereof the Ring given and received is a token and pledge, &c.

Seeing the Ceremony of the Ring in marriage is made necessary to it, and a significant signe of the vow, and* 1.2 covenant betwixt the parties: and Romish Ritualists give such reasons for the institution 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* 1.3 it, since this forme was first drawn up: We desire some other word may be used instead of it.

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

Th••se words being only used in baptisme, and here in* 1.4 the solemnization of Matrimony, and in the absolution of sick, We desire it may be considered whither they should not here be omitted, least they should seem to favour those that count Matrimony a Sacrament.

Till death us depart.

This word depart is here improperly used.* 1.5

Then the Minister or Clerk going to the Lords Table shall* 1.6 say or sing this Psalme.

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

We conceive the change of place and posture menti∣oned* 1.8 in these two Rubricks, is needlesse, and therefore desire it to be omitted.

Consecrated the state of Ma••rimony to such an excellent* 1.9 mistery.

Seeing the institution of Matrimony was before the fall,* 1.10 and so before the promise of Christ, as also for that the said passage in the Collect seemes to countenance the opi∣nion of making Matrimony a Sacrament, we desire that clause may be altered or omitted.

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

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

This Rubrick doth either informe all such as are unfit* 1.13 for the Sacrament to forbear marriage, contrary to Scri∣pture, which approves the marriage of all men, or else com∣pells 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 divertisements as are unsu∣table 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

  Except.
• * 1.6

  Rub.
• * 1.7

  Next Rub▪
• * 1.8

  Excep.
• * 1.9

  Collect.
• * 1.10

  Excep.
• * 1.11

  Rub.
• * 1.12

  Last rub.
• * 1.13

  Excep.