THEFORMOF
SOLEMNIZATIONOFMATRIMONY
Introduction
Thepriestsaystothecongregation
Dearlybeloved,wearegatheredtogetherhereinthesightofGod,andin thefaceofthiscongregation,tojointogetherthismanandthiswomanin holymatrimony;whichisanhonourableestate,institutedofGodinthe time of man’sinnocency,signifyinguntousthemysticalunionthatis betwixtChristandhisChurch;whichholyestate Christadornedand beautifiedwithhispresence,andfirstmiraclethathewrought,inCanaof Galilee;andiscommendedinHolyScripturetobehonourableamongall men:andthereforeisnotbyanytobeenterprised,nortakeninhand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly,andinthefearofGod;dulyconsideringthecausesforwhich matrimony wasordained:
First,fortheincreaseofmankind,accordingtothewillofGod,andfor thedueorderingof familiesand households,thatchildrenmightbe broughtupinthefearandnurtureoftheLord,andtothepraiseofhis holyName;
Secondly,forthehallowingoftheunionbetwixtmanandwoman,and forthe avoidanceofsin;
Thirdly,forthemutualsociety,help,andcomfort,thattheoneoughtto haveoftheother,bothinprosperityandadversity.
Intowhichholyestatethesetwopersonspresentcomenowtobejoined.
Theministermaysaytothecouple
Irequireandchargeyouboth,asyewillansweratthedreadfuldayof judgmentwhenthesecretsofallheartsshallbedisclosed,thatifeitherof youknowanyimpediment,whyyemaynotbelawfullyjoinedtogetherin matrimony,yedonowconfessit.Forbeyewellassured,thatsomanyas arecoupledtogetherotherwisethan God’s Worddothallowarenot
joinedtogether byGod;neitheristheirmatrimonylawful.
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[RI]Unlessthedeclarationsof nocivilimpedimenthavealreadybeenmadebythe couplepriortothemarriageinthepresenceof theRegisteredSolemniserandthetwo witnessesthemanandthewomaneachmaketherequireddeclarationnow:
IsolemnlydeclarethatIdonotknowofanycivilimpedimentto
myproposedmarriagewith...
TheMarriage
Theministersaystotheman
THECONSENT
….Wiltthouhavethiswomantothyweddedwife,tolivetogetherafter God’sordinanceintheholyestateof matrimony?Wiltthouloveher, comforther,honour,andkeepher,insicknessandinhealth;and,forsaking allother, keeptheeonlyuntoher,solongasyebothshalllive?
Iwill.
Theministersaystothewoman
….Wiltthouhavethismantothy weddedhusband,tolivetogetherafter God’sordinanceintheholyestateof matrimony?Wiltthoulovehim, honour,andkeephim,insicknessandinhealth;andforsakingallother, keeptheeonlyuntohim,solongasyebothshalllive?
Iwill.
Ortheministermaysaytothewoman
….Wiltthouhavethismantothy weddedhusband,tolivetogetherafter God’sordinanceintheholyestateof matrimony?Wiltthouobeyhim andservehim,love,honour,andkeephim,insicknessandinhealth;and forsakingallother, keeptheeonlyuntohim,solongasyebothshalllive? Iwill.
Theministerasks
Whogiveththiswomantobemarriedtothisman?
Theministerreceivesthewomanatherfather’sorfriend’shands.
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THE MARRIAGEVOWS Theman,withhisrighthandtakingthewomanbyherrighthand,saysaftertheminister
I….takethee….tomyweddedwife,tohaveandtoholdfromthisday forward,forbetterforworse,forricherforpoorer,insicknessandin health,toloveandtocherish,tilldeathusdopart,accordingtoGod’s holyordinance;andtheretoIplightthee mytroth.
Thewoman,withherrighthandtakingthemanbyhisrighthand,saysaftertheminister
I….takethee….tomyweddedhusband,tohaveandtoholdfromthis dayforward,forbetterforworse,forricherforpoorer,insicknessandin health,toloveandtocherish,tilldeathusdopart,accordingtoGod’s holyordinance;andtheretoIgivethee mytroth.
Orthewoman,withherrighthandtakingthemanbyhisrighthand,saysaftertheminister
I….takethee….tomyweddedhusband,tohaveandtoholdfromthis dayforward,forbetterforworse,forricherforpoorer,insicknessandin health,tolove,cherish,andtoobey,tilldeathusdopart,accordingto God’sholyordinance;andtheretoIgivethee mytroth.
GIVINGANDRECEIVINGOFARING
Themangivestothewomanaring,layingitonthebook.
Themanputstheringonthefourthfingerof thewoman’slefthandand,hold-ingtheringthere,says
WiththisringItheewed,withmybodyItheeworship,andwithallmy worldlygoodsItheeendow:IntheNameoftheFather,andoftheSon, andoftheHolySpirit.Amen.
If thewomangivesthemanaring,sheputstheringonthefourthfingerof theman’slefthandand,holdingtheringthere,says
WiththisringItheewed,withmybodyItheeworship,andwithallmy worldlygoodsItheeendow:IntheNameoftheFather,andoftheSon,
andoftheHolySpirit.Amen.
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Themanandthewomankneel.Thepriestsays
Letuspray.
PRAYER
OeternalGod,CreatorandPreserverofallmankind,Giverofallspiritual grace,theAuthorofeverlastinglife;Sendthyblessinguponthesethyser- vants,thismanandthiswoman,whomweblessinthyName;that,as IsaacandRebeccalivedfaithfullytogether,sothesepersonsmaysurely performandkeepthevowandcovenantbetwixtthemmade(whereofthis ringgivenandreceivedisatokenandpledge),andmayeverremainin perfectloveandpeacetogether,andliveaccordingtothylaws;through JesusChristourLord.Amen.
Joiningtheirrighthandstogether,thepriestsays
ThosewhomGodhathjoinedtogetherletnomanputasunder.
Theministerspeakstothepeople
DECLARATION
Forasmuchas….and….haveconsentedtogetherinholywedlock,and havewitnessedthesamebeforeGod and thiscompany,and theretohave givenandpledgedtheirtrotheithertoother,andhavedeclaredthesame bygivingandreceivingofaring,andbyjoiningofhands;Ipronounce thattheybemanandwifetogether:IntheNameoftheFather,andof theSon,andoftheHolySpirit.Amen.
TheministeraddsthisBlessing:
BLESSING
GodtheFather,GodtheSon,GodtheHolySpirit,bless,preserve,and keepyou;theLordmercifullywithhisfavourlookuponyou;andsofill youwithallspiritualbenedictionandgrace,thatyemaysolivetogetherinthislife,thatintheworldtocomeyemayhavelifeeverlasting.Amen.
TheministergoestotheLord’sTable.
PRAYERSAFTERTHEMARRIAGE
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OneofthefollowingPsalms(oraPsalmfromthelistonpage418)issaidorsung.
THEPSALM
Psalm128Beatiomnes
1BlessedarealltheythatfeartheLord,„
and walkinhis ways.
2Forthoushalteatthelaboursofthinehands;„
O wellisthee,andhappyshaltthoube.
3Thywifeshallbeasthefruitfulvine„
uponthe wallsofthinehouse.
4Thy childrenliketheolive-branches„
roundaboutthytable.
5Lo,thusshallthemanbeblessed„
thatfeareththeLord.
6TheLordfromoutofSionshallsoblessthee„
thatthoushaltseeJerusaleminprosperityallthylifelong.
7Yea,thatthoushaltseethy children’s children„
andpeaceuponIsrael.
GlorybetotheFather,„
andtotheSon,andtotheHolySpirit;
asit wasinthebeginning,„
isnow,andevershallbe,worldwithoutend.Amen.
orPsalm67Deusmisereatur
1Godbemercifuluntous,andblessus;„
andshewusthelightofhiscountenance, andbemercifuluntous:
2Thatthy waymaybeknownuponearth,„
thysavinghealthamongallnations.
3Letthepeoplepraisethee,OGod;„
yea,letallthepeoplepraisethee.
4Oletthenationsrejoiceandbeglad,„
forthoushaltjudgethefolkrighteously, andgovernthenationsuponearth.
5Letthepeoplepraisethee,OGod;„
yea,letallthepeoplepraisethee.
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6Thenshalltheearthbringforthherincrease,„
andGod,evenour ownGod,shallgiveushisblessing.
7Godshallblessus,„
andalltheendsoftheworldshallfearhim.
GlorybetotheFather,„
andtotheSon,andtotheHolySpirit;
asit wasinthebeginning,„
isnow,andevershallbe,worldwithoutend.Amen.
ThemanandthewomankneelbeforetheLord’sTable,theministersays
Letuspray.
Lord,havemercyuponus. Christ,havemercyuponus. Lord,havemercyuponus.
OurFather,whoartinheaven, hallowedbethyName,
thykingdomcome, thywillbedone,
Onearthasitisinheaven. Giveusthisdayourdailybread.
Andforgiveusourtrespasses
asweforgivethosewhotrespassagainstus. Andleadusnotintotemptation,
butdeliverusfromevil.Amen.
OLord,savethyservant,andthyhandmaid,
whoputtheirtrustinthee.
OLord,sendthemhelpfromthyholyplace;
andevermoredefendthem.
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Beuntothematowerofstrength;
fromthefaceoftheirenemy.
OLord,hearourprayer;
andletourcrycomeuntothee.
Theministersays
OGodofAbraham,GodofIsaac,GodofJacob,blessthesethyservants, andsowtheseedofeternallifeintheirhearts;thatwhatsoeverinthyholy Wordtheyshallprofitablylearn,theymayindeedfulfilthesame.Look, OLord,mercifullyuponthemfromheaven,andblessthem.Andasthou didstsendthyblessinguponAbrahamandSarah,totheirgreatcomfort, sovouchsafetosendthyblessinguponthesethyservants;thattheyobey- ingthywill,andalwaybeinginsafetyunderthyprotection,mayabidein thyloveuntotheirlives’end;throughJesusChristourLord.Amen.
Thisprayermayfollow:
OmercifulLordandheavenlyFather,bywhosegraciousblessingmankind isincreased;Bestow,webeseechthee,onthesethyservantstheheritage andgiftofchildren,andgrantthattheymayalsolivetogethersolongin godlyloveandhonesty,thattheymayseetheirchildrenchristianlyand virtuouslybroughtup,tothypraiseandhonour;throughJesusChristourLord.Amen.
OGod,whobythymightypowerhastmadeallthingsofnothing;who also(afterotherthingssetinorder)didstappoint,thatoutofman(created afterthineownimageandsimilitude)womanshouldtakeherbeginning; and,knittingthemtogether,didstteachthatitshouldneverbelawfulto putasunderthosewhomthoubyMatrimonyhadstmadeone:OGod, whohastsoconsecratedthestateofMatrimony,thatinitissignifiedand represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church:Lookmercifullyuponthesethyservants,thatboththismanmay lovehiswife,accordingtothyWord(asChristdidlovehisspousethe
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Church,whogavehimselfforit, lovingandcherishingitevenashisown flesh),andalsothatthiswomanmaybelovingandamiable,faithfuland obedienttoherhusband;andinallquietness,sobriety,andpeace,bea followerofholyandgodlymatrons.OLord,blessthemboth,andgrant themtoinheritthyeverlastingkingdom;throughJesusChristourLord. Amen.
Prayersfromthoseonpages424-427maybepreferred. Theministersays
AlmightyGod,whoatthebeginningdidcreateourfirstparents,Adam andEve,anddidsanctifyandjointhemtogetherinmarriage;Pourupon youtherichesof hisgrace,sanctifyandblessyou,thatyemaypleasehim bothinbodyandsoul,andlivetogether inholyloveuntoyourlives’ end. Amen.
Unlessthereistobeacelebrationof theHolyCommunionareadingfromHoly
Scripturefollows.Ifthereisasermonitispreachedhere. Heremayfollowananthemor hymn.
IfthereisnoCommunion,theministersays
Letuspray.
OeternalGod,wehumblybeseechtheefavourablytobeholdthesethy servants….and….nowjoinedinwedlockaccordingtothyholyordi- nance;andgrantthatthey,seekingfirstthykingdomandrighteousness, mayobtainthemanifoldblessingsofthygrace;throughJesusChristour Lord.Amen.
OalmightyLord,andeverlastingGod,vouchsafe,webeseechthee,to direct,sanctify,andgovernbothourheartsandbodies,inthewaysofthy laws,andintheworksof thycommandments;thatthroughthymost mightyprotection,bothhereandever,wemaybepreservedinbodyand soul;throughourLordandSaviourJesusChrist.Amen.
ThegraceofourLordJesusChrist,andtheloveofGod,andthefellow- shipoftheHolySpiritbewithusallevermore.Amen.
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ItisappropriatethatthenewlymarriedcoupleshouldreceivetheHolyCommunionat thetimeoftheirMarriage,oratthefirstopportunityaftertheirMarriage.
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HolyCommunionattheTimeofaMarriage
THE COLLECT OeternalGod,wehumblybeseechtheefavourablytobeholdthesethy servantsnowjoinedinwedlock accordingtothyholyordinance;and grantthatthey,seekingfirstthykingdomandrighteousness,mayobtain the manifoldblessingsof thygrace;throughJesusChristourLord. Amen.
THEEPISTLE
Ephesians5:20-33
GivingthanksalwaysforallthingsuntoGodandtheFather,intheName ofourLordJesusChrist;submittingyourselvesonetoanotherinthefear ofGod.Wives,submityourselvesuntoyourownhusbands,asuntothe Lord.Forthehusbandistheheadofthewife,evenasChrististhehead ofthechurch:andheisthesaviourofthebody.Thereforeasthechurch issubjectuntoChrist;soletthewivesbetotheirownhusbandsinevery thing.Husbands,loveyourwives,evenasChristalsolovedthechurch, andgavehimself forit;thathemightsanctifyandcleanse it withthe washingofwaterbytheWord,thathemightpresentittohimselfaglori- ouschurch,nothavingspot,orwrinkle,oranysuchthing;butthatit shouldbeholyandwithoutblemish.Sooughtmentolovetheirwivesas theirownbodies.Hethatlovethhiswifelovethhimself:fornomanever yethatedhisownflesh;butnourishethandcherishethit,evenastheLord thechurch:forwearemembersof hisbody,of hisflesh,andof his bones.Forthiscauseshallamanleavehisfatherandmother,andshallbe joineduntohiswife;andtheytwoshallbeoneflesh.Thisisagreatmys- tery:butIspeakconcerningChristandthechurch.Neverthelessletevery oneofyou inparticular so love hiswife even as himself; andthe wife see
thatshereverenceherhusband.
THEGOSPEL
Matthew19:4-6
Jesussaid,Haveyenotread,thathewhichmadethematthebeginning madethemmaleandfemale,andsaid,Forthiscauseshallamanleave fatherandmother,andshallcleavetohiswife;andtheytwainshallbeone flesh?Whereforetheyarenomoretwain,butoneflesh.Whatthere-foreGodhathjoinedtogether,letnotmanputasunder.
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Orreadingsfromthelistonpage418maybepreferred.
AcouplemustproduceaScheduleof Marriage(NI)oraMarriageRegistration
Form(RI)totheofficiatingpriestbeforeamarriagecantakeplace.
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