|
The Form of Solemnization of Matrimony from the
Book of Common Prayer
At
the day and time appointed for Solemnization of Matrimony, the
Persons to be married shall come into the body of the Church, or
shall be ready in some proper house, with their friends and
neighbors; and there standing together, the Man on the right hand,
and the Woman on the left, the Minister shall say,
DEARLY
beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in
the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman
in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of
God, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ
and his Church: which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified
with his presence and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of
Galilee, and is commended of Saint Paul to be honorable among all
men: and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or
lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in
the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons present
come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, why they
may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else
hereafter for ever hold his peace.
And
also speaking unto the Persons who are to be married, he shall
say,
I 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 impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined
together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well
assured, that if any persons are joined together other than as
God's Word doth allow, their marriage is not lawful.
The
Minister, if he shall have reason to doubt of the lawfulness of
the proposed Marriage, may demand sufficient surety for his
indemnification: but if no impediment shall be alleged, or
suspected, the Minster shall say to the Man,
JOHN 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, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye
both shall live?
The
Man shall answer,
I will.
Then shall the Minster say unto the Woman,
JANE Wilt
thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after
God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love
him, comfort him, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health;
and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye
both shall live?
The
Woman shall answer,
I will.
Then shall the Minister say,
Who giveth
this Woman to be married to this Man?
Then shall they give their troth to each other in this manner. The
Minister, receiving the Woman at her father's or friend's hands,
shall cause the Man with his right hand to take the Woman by her
right hand, and to say after him as followeth.
I John take
thee Jane 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 and to cherish, till death us do part,
according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my
troth.
Then shall they loose their hands; and the Woman with her right
hand taking the Man by his right hand, shall likewise say after
the Minister,
I Jane take
thee John 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 and to cherish, till death us do part,
according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my
troth.
Then shall they again loose their hands; and the Man shall give
unto the Woman a Ring in this wise: the Minister taking the ring
shall deliver it unto the Man, to put it upon the fourth finger of
the Woman's left hand. And the Man holding the Ring there, and
taught by the Minister, shall say,
WITH this
Ring I thee wed: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost. Amen.
And, before delivering the Ring to the Man, the Minister may say
as followeth,
BLESS, O
Lord, this Ring, that he who gives it and she who wears it may
abide in thy peace, and continue in they favour, unto their life's
end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then, the Man, leaving the Ring upon the fourth finger of the
Woman's left hand, the Minister shall say,
Let us pray.
Then shall the Minister and People, still standing, say the Lord's
Prayer.
OUR Father,
who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy
will be done, On Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those
who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But
deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and
the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Then shall the Minister add,
O 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, this Man and this Woman, whom we bless in thy
Name; that they, living faithfully together, 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 together, and live according to
thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then the Minister may add,
O GOD, who
hast so consecrated the state of Matrimony that in it is rep
resented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his
Church; Look mercifully upon these thy servants, that they may
love, honour, and cherish each other, and so live together in
faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that
their home may be a haven of blessing and of peace; through the
same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and
the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
Then shall the Minister join their right hands together, and say,
Those whom
God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
Then shall the Minister speak unto the company.
FORASMUCH as
John and Jane have consented together in holy wedlock, and have
witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have
given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have
declared the same by giving and receiving a Ring, and by joining
hands; I pronounce that they are Man and Wife, In the Name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The
Man and the Wife kneeling, the Minister shall add this Blessing.
GOD the
Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep
you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill
you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live
together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life
everlasting. Amen.
|
