299

The form of solemnization
of Matrimony

ffirst the Banns of all that are to beg married
together, must be published in the Church
three severall Sundaies or holy daies in the time
of Divine Service, imediately before the sen-
tences for the Dffertory; the Curate saying
after the accustomed manner,

marriage

I publish the Banns of matrimony betweene M.
of and N. of If any of you know
cause or just impediment, why these two per-
sons should not be joyned together in holy
matrimony, ye are to declare it this is the first
(second, or third) tjme of asking.

And if the persons that are to be married,

dwell in diver Parishes, the Banns must be
asked in both Parishes; and the Curate of the
one Parish shall not solemnize Matrimony be-
twixt them, without a Certificate of the Banns
being thrice asked, from the Curate of the other
Parish.

At the day and time appointed for solemniza

1. 7. After "Offertory", a comma altered into the semicolon.
The 302nd page of the MS. Book has no catch-word.

1. 9.

The 303rd page of the MS. Book commences with the words "I publish".
In "tjme", an "e" altered into the "j".

1. 18.

After" Parishes", a comma altered into the semicolon.]

1. 23. In "time", a "y" altered into the "i".

tion 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,
Dearely beloved, we are gathered together here
in the sight of god, and in the face of this
Congregation, to joyne together this man and
this woman in holy matrimony, which is an
honorable estate instituted of God in the time
of mans innocency, signifying vnto vs the
mystical vnion that is betwixt Christ and his
Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and
beautified with his presence, and first miracle
that hee wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is
comended of St Paul to bee honorable among
all men; and therefore is not by any to be enter-
prized, nor taken in hand vnadvisedly, lightly,
or wantonly, to satisfie men's carnall lusts and
appetites, like brute beasts that haue no vnder-
standing; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly,
soberly, and in the feare of God, duly considering
the causes for which matrimony was ordained.
ffirst, it was ordained for the Procreation of

1. 10. In "time", a "y" altered into the "i".

1. 12. In "mystical", an "i" altered into the "y".
After "Church", a comma altered into the semicolon.
After "men", a comma altered into the semicolon.
In "ordained", an "e" altered into the "a".

1. 13.

I. 17.

1. 24.

U. Pr.

1. 16. Saint Paul.

Q. Pr.

1. 16. Saint Paul.

Children, to be brought vp in the feare 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 haue not the gift of continency, might marry, and keepe themselves vndefiled members of Christs body.

Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, helpe 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 joyned. Therfore if any man can shew any just cause why they may not lawfully be joyned together, let him now speake, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

And also speaking to the persons that shall

beg married, he shall say,

I require and charge you both (as ye will answere 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 joyned together in matri

300

1. 4. The 303rd page of the MS. Book has no catch-word.
The 304th page of the MS. Book commences with the word "Secondly".
In "ordained", an "e" altered into the "a".
In "ordained", an "e" altered into the "a".

1. 5.

1. 5. 1. 10.

301

do.

A

mony, ye now confesse it. For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise then Gods Word doth allow, are not joyned together by God,-neither is theire matrimony lawfull.

At which day of marriage, if any man dog 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 suretyes with him, to the partyes, or else put in a caution (to the full value of such charges as the persons to be married doe thereby sustaine) to prove his allega

?

tion Then the solemnization must be deferred vntill such time as the truth be tryed. If no impediment be alleadged, then shall the curate say vnto the man,

N. Wilt thou haue this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after Gods ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her in sicknesse and in health? and forsakøing all other, keep thee only vnto her, so long as ye both shall live?

1. 13. In "doe", the "d" retouched with darker ink.

1. 13. In "sustaine", an "e" altered into the "a".

1. 15. In "time", a "y" altered into the "i".

1. 25. The 304th page of the MS. Book has no catch-word.

U. Pr.

11. 6-17. Printed in two paragraphs.

1. 18. M. Wilt thou.

Q. Pr.

11. 6-17. Printed in two paragraphs.

1. 18. M. Wilt thou.

I Will.

The man shall Answer,

Then shall the Priest say vnto the woman.

N. Wilt thou haue this man to thy wedded hus-
band, to live together after Gods ordinance,
in the holy estate of
thou obey him, serve
keep him in sickness
sakeing all other, keep
long as ye both shall live?

I will.

matrimony? Wilt him, love, honour and and in health, and forthee only vnto him, sog

The woman shall answer,

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 fathers or friends 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 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 vs dol part, according to Gods holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth

1. 1. The 305th page of the MS. Book commences with the word "The".

11. 16, 17, written in paler ink and in different character from the MS. that immediately precedes and succeeds.

U. Pr.

Q. Pr.

1. 7. obey him, and serve him. 1. 22. I M. take thee N.

1. 7. obey him, and serve him,
1. 22. I M. take thee N.