The 1689 Proposed Book of Common Prayer:Marriage · The 1689 Proposed Book of Common Prayer: Morning Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer

	The Proposed Book of Common Prayer (1689)

THE	* See at the end of the Litany.
FORM OF
SOLEMNISATION
OF MATRIMONY.
¶ 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: thus Minister saying after
the accustomed manner,
I PUBLISH the Banns
of Marriage between M. of —— and N. of ——
. If any of you know just 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 Minister 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 blessing 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.
¶
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 married 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,
M.
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,
I will.
Then
shall the Priest say unto the Woman,
N.
WILT thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after
God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and
serve him, love, honour, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and,
forsaking all other, 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 fatherís 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
M. 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 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
N. take thee
M. 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, cherish, and to obey, 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, (which is here used only as a civil ceremony and pledge,)
laying the same upon the book with the a ccustomed duty, &c.
WITH
this Ring I thee wed, with my worldly goods I thee endow: and by this
our Marriage we become One according to God's holy institution. And this
I declare in the presence of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
¶
Then the Man leaving the Ring upon the fourth finger of the Woman's
left hand, they shall both kneel down, and the Minister shall say,
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, as
Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely
perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, and may ever
remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 people.
FORASMUCH
as M. 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 joining 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 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 favour look upon you, and so 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.
¶
Then the Minister or Clerks, being either in the body of the Church,
or at the Communion Table, shall sag or sing this Psalm following.
Beati
omnes. Psalm cxxviii.
BLESSED
are all they that fear the Lord : and walk in his ways.
For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands : O happy
shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine : upon the walls
of thy house;
Thy children like the olive branches : round about
thy table.
Lo, thus shall the man be blessed : that feareth the
Lord.
The Lord from out of Sion shall so bless thee : that
thou shalt see Jerusalem in prosperity all thy life long;
Yea, that thou shalt see thy children's children :
and peace upon Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the
Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall
be : world without end. Amen.
Or
this Psalm.
Deus
misereatur. Psalm 67
GOD
be merciful unto us, and bless us : and shew us the light of his countenance,
and be merciful unto us:
That thy way may be known upon earth : thy saving health
among all nations.
Let the people praise thee, O God : yea, let all the
people praise thee.
O let the nations rejoice and be glad : for thou shalt
judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
Let the people praise thee, O God : yea, let all the
people praise thee.
Then shall the earth bring- forth her increase : and
God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.
God shall bless us : and all the ends of the world
shall fear him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : 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, the Minister shall say,
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Answer. Christ, have mercy upon us.
Minister. Lord, have mercy upon us.
OUR
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy
will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass
against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Minister. O Lord, save thy servant, and thy handmaid ;
Answer. Who put their trust in thee.
Minister. O Lord, send them help from thy holy
place;
Answer. And evermore defend them.
Minister. Unite them to one another in sincere
love;
Answer. That they may rejoice in each other
all the days of their lives.
Minister. O Lord, hear our prayer.
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.
Minister.
O
GOD of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, bless these thy servants,
and plant thy fear in their hearts; 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 Sarah, to their great comfort, so vouchsafe
to send thy blessing upon these thy servants; that they obeying thy will,
and alway 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
child-bearing.
O
MERCIFUL Lord and heavenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankind is increased;
We beseech thee to bless these thy servants with children, if thou in
thy wisdom seest it to be convenient for them, and grant them to live
together so long in godly love and honesty, that they may see their children
christianly and virtuously brought up, to thy praise and honour; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O
GOD, who by thy mighty power hast made all things of nothing; who 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;
arid, knitting them together, didst teach that it should never be lawful
to put asunder those whom thou by Matrimony hadst made one: O God, who
hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery,
that in it is signified and represented the spiritual 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 his 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, faithful and obedient to her husband; and in all quietness, sobriety,
and peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O Lord, bless them
both, and grant them to inherit thy everlasting kingdom; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then shall the Minister, turning
towards them, say,
ALMIGHTY
God, who at the beginning did create our first parents, Adam and Eve,
and did sanctify and join them together in marriage; Pour upon you the
riches of his grace, sanctify and bless you, that ye may please him both
in body and soul, and live together in holy love unto your lives' end.
Amen.
¶ After which, if there be no
Sermon declaring the duties of Man and Wife, the Minister shall read as
followeth.
YE
that are here present, hear what the holy Scripture doth say as touching
the duty of husbands towards their wives, and wives towards their husbands.
Saint Paul, in his Epistle to the Ephesians, the fifth
Chapter, doth give this commandment to all married men; Husbands, love
your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for
it, that he might sanctify 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 joined unto his
wife; and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I
speak concerning Christ and the Church. Nevertheless, let every one of
you in particular so love his wife, even as himself.
Likewise the same Saint Paul, writing to the Colossians,
speaketh thus to all men that are married; Husbands, love your wives,
and be not bitter against them.
Hear also what Saint Peter, the Apostle of Christ,
who was himself a married man, saith unto them that are married; Ye husbands,
dwell with your wives according to knowledge; giving honour unto the wife,
as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of
life, that your prayers be not hindered.
Hitherto ye have heard the duty of the husband toward
the wife. Now hear the duty toward the husband, even as it is plainly
set forth in holy Scripture.
Saint Paul, in the aforenamed Epistle to the Ephesians,
teacheth you thus; Wives, submit yourselves 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 the Saviour of the body. Therefore
as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own
husbands in every thing. And again he saith, Let the wife see that she
reverence her husband.
And in his Epistle to the Colossians, Saint Paul giveth
you this short lesson; Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands,
as it is fit in the Lord.
Saint Peter also doth instruct you very well, thus
saying; Ye wives, 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
of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with
fear. Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting
the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let
it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible; even
the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is 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 Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters
ye are as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Let
us pray.
O
ALMIGHTY Lord and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct,
sanctify, and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of thy laws,
and in the works of thy commandments: that through thy most mighty protection,
both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul, through our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE
peace of God, &c.
¶
If the new married persons signify beforehand to the Minister that
they desire the holy Sacrament, there shall be a Communion. If they
do not, they shall be exhorted to receive it as soon as they have an opportunity.

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