_First, the Banns of all that are to be married together must be
published in the Church three several Sundays, during the time of
Morning Service, or of Evening Service_, (_if there be no Morning
Service,_) _immediately after the second Lesson; the Curate saying
after the accustomed manner_, I publish the Banns of Marriage
between _N_. of and _N_. of------. If any of you know cause, or
just impediment, why these two persons should not be joined together
in holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the first [second,
_or_ third] time of asking.
_And if the persons that are to be married dwell in divers
Parishes, the Banns must be asked in both Parishes; and the
Curate of the one Parish shall not solemnize Matrimony betwixt
them, without a Certificate of the Banns being thrice asked, from
the Curate of the other Parish_.
_At the day and time appointed for solemnization of Matrimony, the
persons to be married shall come into the body of the Church with
their friends and neighbours: and there standing together, the man
on the right hand, and the woman on the left, the Priest shall say_,
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God,
and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and
this woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate,
instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, 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 honourable among all men: and therefore is not
by any to be enterprized, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly,
or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like
brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly,
advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the
causes for which Matrimony was ordained.
First, It was ordained for the procreation of children, to be
brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise
of his holy Name.
Secondly, It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid
fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency
might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body.
Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort,
that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and
adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come
now to be joined. Therefore if any man can shew any just cause,
why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak,
or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.
| _The Clergyman may at his discretion shorten the prefatory_
| _address by reading it thus_:
|
| Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of
| God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this
| man and this woman in holy Matrimony: which is an honourable
| estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency,
| 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 in Holy Writ to be honourable among all
| men; and therefore is not by any to be taken in hand, unadvisedly,
| lightly or wantonly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly,
| soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the chief causes
| for which Matrimony was ordained.
|
| It was ordained for the increase of mankind according to the will
| of God, and that children might be brought up in the fear and
| nurture of the Lord and to the praise of his holy Name.
|
| It was also ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort
| that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and
| adversity.
|
| Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be
| joined. Therefore if any man can shew any just cause why they
| may not lawfully be joined together, let him now declare it.
_And also, speaking unto the persons that shall be married, he
shall say_,
I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day
of judgement, 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 so many as are coupled together otherwise
than God's Word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither
is their Matrimony lawful.
_At which day of Marriage, if any man do allege and declare any
impediment, why they may not be coupled together in Matrimony, by
God's law, or the laws of this Realm; and will be bound, and
sufficient sureties with him, to the parties; or else put in a
caution_ (_to the full value of such charges as the persons to be
married do thereby sustain_) _to prove his allegation: then the
solemnization must be deferred, until such time as the truth be
tried_.
_If no impediment be alleged, then shall the Curate say unto the
man_,
_N_. 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 other, keep thee only unto her, so long
as ye both shall live?
_The man shall answer_,