Matrimony

The Form of Solemnization of Matrimony.

The persons to be married and their friends being assembled, 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, adorned and sanctioned by Christ’s presence at the marriage of Cana of Galilee, and set forth and commended in the Christian Scripture as innocent and honorable to all who engage in it not unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, and soberly, with purity of heart, and in the fear of God. Therefore, if any man can show just cause why these two may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.

Then speaking to the persons about to be married, the Man standing at the Woman’s right hand, the Minister shall say:

I require and charge you both, as ye will answer before him who knoweth the secrets of all hearts, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it.

If no impediment be alleged, the Minister shall say to the Man, addressing him by his Christian name:

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, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, so long as ye both shall live?

The Man shall answer:

I will.

Then shall the Minister say to the Woman, addressing her by her Christian name:

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 love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health, so long as ye both shall live?

The Woman shall answer:

I will.

If the giving away of the bride be omitted, after the answer of the Woman, I will, the Minister may say: In testimony of the purpose mutually expressed, let your Troth be given to each other.

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 hand, shall cause the Man with his right hand to take the Woman by her right hand, and 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 do us 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 and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance: and thereto I give thee my troth.

The Minister, having received the Ring from the Man, shall deliver it back to him, to put it upon the fourth finger of the Woman’s left hand. This being done, and the married persons again joining hands, the Minister shall say:

This Ring, is consecrated as the token and pledge of your mutual truth and affection; and worn upon the hand of the woman becomes the accepted symbol of that spiritual union which it is the office of marriage to secure. And by it you declare yourselves husband and wife, according to God’s holy ordinance.

The Husband and Wife shall severally answer:

I do.

Then the Minister shall say:

Forasmuch as M. and N. have consented together in wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have engaged and pledged themselves to each other, and have declared the same, by giving and receiving a ring, I pronounce them henceforth Husband and Wife.

Then the Minister shall join their right hands together, and say:

Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

Then the Minister shall say:

Let us pray.

Eternal God, giver of all spiritual grace, send thy blessing upon thy servants, whom we bless in thy name. Enable them to perform the covenant which they have now made in thy presence. May they dwell together in peace and love, in holiness and comfort; in the Christian faith, and in the practice of all Christian virtues. Bless, preserve, and keep them; fill them with all spiritual benediction and grace; that they may so live together in this life, that daily they may enter into the life everlasting. We ask this in the name, and as the disciples of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the Minister shall say this Benediction:

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. Amen.