1637 Scottish Book of Common Prayer: Marriage · The 1637 Scottish Book of Common Prayer: Front Matter

The Book of Common Prayer

	The Book of Common Prayer for Scotland (1637)

The form of Solemnization
of Matrimonie.
FIRST,
the banes [banns]
must be asked three severall Sundayes or Holy-dayes, in the time of
Service, the people being present after the accustomed manner.
And if the persons that should bee married dwell
in divers Parishes, the Banes must bee asked in both Parishes : and
the Presbyter or Curate of the one Parish shall not solemnize Matrimonie
betwixt them, without a certificate of the Banes being thrice asked
from the Presbyter or Curate of the other Parish.
At the day appointed for Solemnization of Matrimonie,
the persons to be married shall come into the body of the Church, with
their friends and neighbours, and there the Presbyter shall say thus.
DEarly
beloved friends, we are gathered together here in the sight of God,
and in the face of his Church, to joyn together this man and this woman
in holy Matrimonie, which is an honourable estate, instituted of God
in Paradise, in the time of mans innocency, signifying unto us the mysticall
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 to be enterprised nor taken in hand
unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfie mens carnall lusts and
appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding, but reverently,
discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the feare of God, duely considering
the causes for which Matrimony was ordained. One was the procreation
of children, to be brought up in the feare and nurture of the Lord,
and praise of God. Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sinne,
and to avoid fornication, that such persons as have not the gift of
continency might marrie, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christs
body. Thirdly, for the mutuall society, help, and comfort, that
the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity
: into the which holy estate these two persons present come now to be
joyned. Therefore, if any man can shew any just cause why they may not
lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else here after for
ever hold his peace.
¶
And also speaking to the persons that shall be married, he shall
say.
I
Require and charge you (as you will answer at the dreadfull day
of judgement, when the secrets of all hearts shall bee disclosed) that
if either of you doe know any impediment why you may not be lawfully
joyned together in Matrimonie, that yee confesse it. For be yee well
assured, that so many as be coupled together otherwise than Gods word
doth allow, are not joyned together by God, neither is their Matrimonie
lawfull.
¶
At which day of marriage, if any man do alledge and declare any impediment
why they may not be coupled together in Matrimony, by Gods Law or the
Laws of this Realme, 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 doe sustain, to prove his allegation,
then the solemnization must bee deferred unto such time as the truth
be tried. If no impediment be alledged, then shall the Presbyter or
Curate say unto the man.
N.
WIlt
thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after Gods
ordinance, in the holy estate of Matrimonie? Wilt thou love her, comfort
her, honour and keep her, in sicknesse and in health? and forsaking
all other, keep thee only to her, so long as you both shall live?
¶
The man shall answer.
I will.
¶
Then shall the Presbyter say to the woman.
N.
WIlt
thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after Gods
ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimonie? Wilt thou obey him and serve
him, love, honour, and keep him, in sicknesse, and in health? and forsaking
all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as you both shall live?
¶
The woman shall answer.
I will.
¶
Then shall the Presbyter or Minister say.
Who giveth this
woman to be married to this man?
¶
And the Presbyter or Minister receiving the woman at her fathers
or friends hands, shall cause the man to take the woman by the right
hand, and so either to give their troth to other, the man first saying.
I N. take thee N. to my wedded wife, to
have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer,
for poorer, in sicknesse, and in health, to love and to cherish, till
death do us depart, according to Gods holy ordinance : and
thereto I plight thee my troth.
¶
Then shall they loose their hands, and the woman taking again the
man by the right hand shall say.
I N. take thee N.
to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for
better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sicknesse, and in health,
to love, cherish, and to obey, till death do us depart, according to
Gods 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, laying the same upon the book with the accustomed
duety [offerings] to
the Presbyter and Clerke. And the Presbyter taking the Ring, shall deliver
it unto the man, to put it upon the fourth finger of the womans left
hand. And the man taught by the Presbyter shall say.
With
this ring I thee wed: with my body I thee worship, 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 leaving the Ring upon the fourth finger of the womans
left hand, the Presbyter or Minister shall say.
¶
Let us pray.
O
Eternall GOD, creator and preserver
of all mankinde, giver of all spirituall grace, the authour of everlasting
life, send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman,
whom we blesse in thy Name, that as Isahac and Rebecca lived faithfully
together, so these persons 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 remaine in perfect love and peace together, and
live according unto thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶
Then shall the Presbyter joyne their right hands together, and
say.
Those whom God hath joyned together, let no man put asunder.
¶
Then shall the Presbyter or Minister speak unto the people.
FOrasmuch
as N. and N. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed
the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged
their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and
receiving of a Ring, and by joyning of hands, I pronounce that they
be man and wife together : In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the holy Ghost. Amen.
¶
And the Presbyter or Minister shall adde this blessing.
GOD
the Father, God the Sonne, God the holy Ghost, blesse, preserve, and
keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you, and so
fill you with all spirituall benediction and grace, that you may so
live together in this life, that in the world to come, you may have
life everlasting. Amen.
¶
Then the Presbyter, Minister or Clerks going to the Lords Table,
shall say or sing this Psalme following.
BLessed
is every one that feareth the Lord : that walketh in his wayes.
	Beati omnes. Psal.
For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands : happy	128
shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Thy wife shall be as a fruitfull vine by the
sides of thine house : thy children like olive plants, round about thy
table.
Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth
the LORD.
The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion : and thou
shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the dayes of thy life.
Yea, thou shalt see thy childrens children, and
peace upon Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Sonne : and
to the holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall
be: world without end. Amen..
¶
Or else this Psalm.
GOD	Deus misereatur. Psal. 67.
bee mercifull unto us, and blesse us : and cause his face to
shine upon us. Selah.
That thy way may bee known upon earth, thy saving
health among all nations.
Let the people praise thee, O God : let all the people
praise thee.
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy : for
thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon
earth. Selah.
Let the people praise thee, O GOD, let all the people
praise thee.
Then shall the earth yeeld her increase; and
God, even our own God, shall blesse us.
God shall blesse us; and all the ends of the earth
shall fear him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Sonne, and
to the holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall
be : world without end. Amen..
¶
The Psalm ended, and the man and the woman kneeling afore the Lords
Table, the Presbyter standing at the Table, and turning his face toward
them, shall say.
Lord have mercy
upon us.
Answer.
Christ have mercy
upon us.
Presbyter.
Lord have mercy upon us.
¶ Our Father which art in heaven, etc.
And lead us not into temptation.
Answer.
But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Presbyter.
O Lord save thy servant, and thy handmaid.
Answer.
Which put their trust in thee.
Presbyter.
O Lord send them help from thy holy place.
Answer.
And evermore defend them.
Presbyter.
Be unto them a tower of strength.
Answer.
From the face of their enemy.
Presbyter.
O Lord heare our prayer.
Answer.
And let our cry come unto thee.
Presbyter.
O GOD of
Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, blesse these thy servants, and
sow the seed of eternall life in their minds, that whatsoever in
thy holy Word they shall profitably learn, they may in deed fulfill
the same. Look, O Lord, mercifully upon them from heaven and bless
them. And as thou didst send thy blessing upon Abraham and Sara,
to their great comfort : so vouchsafe to send thy blessing upon these
thy servants, that they obeying thy will, and allway being in safety
under thy protection, may abide in thy love unto their lives end;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶
This prayer next following, shall be omitted, where the woman is
past childe-birth.
O
Merciful LORD and heavenly Father,
by whose gracious gift mankind is increased : wee beseech thee assist
with thy blessing these two persons, that they may both be fruitfull
in procreation of children, and also live together so long in godly
love and honesty, that they may see their children's children, unto
the third and fourth generation, unto thy praise and honour, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O
GOD which by thy mightie power hast
made all things of nought, which also (after other things
set in order) didst appoint that out of man (created after thine own
image and similitude) woman should take her beginning : and knitting
them together didst teach that it should never be lawfull to put asunder
those whom thou by Matrimonie hast made one : O God, which hast consecrated
the state of Matrimonie to such an excellent mysterie, that in it is
signified and represented the spirituall marriage and unity betwixt
Christ and his Church : Look mercifully upon these thy servants, that
both this man may love his wife, according to thy word, as Christ did
love thy spouse the Church, who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing
it even as his own flesh : and also that this woman may be loving and
amiable to her husband as Rachel, wise as Rebecca, faithfull and obedient
as Sara, and in all quietnesse, sobrietie, and peace be a follower of
holy and godly matrons. O Lord, blesse them both, and grant them to
inherit thy everlasting kingdome, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶
Then shall the Presbyter say.
ALmighty
GOD, which at the beginning did create
our first parents Adam and Eve, and did sanctifie and joyne them together
in marriage : poure upon you the riches of his grace, sanctifie and
blesse you, that yee may please him both in bodie and soule, and live
together in holy love, unto your lives end. Amen.
¶
Then shall begin the Communion. And after the Gospel shall be said
a Sermon, wherein ordinarily (so oft as there is any marriage) the office
of a husband and wife shall be declared, according to holy Scripture.
Or if there be no Sermon, the Presbyter or Minister shall read this
that followeth.
ALl
ye which be married, or which intend to take the holy estate of Matrimony
upon you, heare what holy Scripture doth say, as touching the dutie
of husbands toward their wives, and wives toward their husbands.
SAint
Paul in his Epistle to the Ephesians, the fifth chap. doth give this	Ephes.
commandement to all married men : Husbands, love your wives, even as	5. 25.
Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it : that he might
sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water, by the word, that
he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing : but that it should be holy and without
blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies : he that
loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh
: but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church : for
we are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones. For this
cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joyned unto
his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mysterie
: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every
one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself.
	Col.
Likewise the same S. Paul writing to the Colossians, speaketh thus	3. 19.
to all men that be married : husbands, love your wives, and be
not bitter against them.
Hear also what S. Peter the Apostle of Christ, which was himself a married	1 Pet.
man, saith unto all men that are married : Ye husbands, dwell with your	3. 7.
wives according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife as unto the
weaker vessel, and as heirs together of the grace of life, so that your
prayers be not hindered.
Hitherto ye have heard the duty of the husband toward
the wife. Now likewise yee wives, heare and learn your duties towards
your husbands, even as it is plainly set forth in holy Scripture.
	Eph.
Saint Paul, in the aforenamed epistle to the Ephesians, teacheth you	5. 22
thus: Ye wives submit your selves unto your own husbands, as
unto the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife even as
Christ is the head of the Church : and he is also the Saviour
of the whole body.
	Col.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives	3. 18
be to their own husbands in every thing. And again he saith,
Let the wife reverence her husband. And (in his epistle to the Colossians)
Saint Paul giveth you this short lesson, Ye wives submit your selves
unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
	1
Saint Peter also doth instruct you very godly, thus saying, Ye wives,	Pet. 3. 1
be in subjection to your own husbands, that if any obey not the word,
they also may without the word be won by the conversation [=behavior]
of the wives
: while they behold your chast conversation coupled with fear
[=awe, respect]. Whose adorning,
let it not bee that outward adorning, plainting the hair, and
of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparell : but let it be
the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptable, even
the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God
of great price. For after this manner in the old time, the holy women
also who trusted in God adorned themselves, being in subjection unto
their own husbands. Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord; whose
daughters ye are as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any
amazement.
¶
The new married persons, the same day of their marriage, must receive
the holy Communion.

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