The Book of Common Prayer Part 50

_Then shall the Priest say unto the woman_,

_N_. Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after G.o.d'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 father's 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 _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 sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to G.o.d'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 _N_. 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 G.o.d'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, laying the same upon the book with the accustomed duty to the Priest and Clerk. And the Priest, taking the ring, shall deliver it unto the man, to put it upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand. And the man holding the ring there, and taught by the Priest, shall say_,

With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee wors.h.i.+p, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 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_,

Let us pray.

O eternal G.o.d, 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, (whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge,) 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 Priest join their right hands together, and say_,

Those whom G.o.d hath joined together let no man put asunder.

_Then shall the Minister speak unto the people_.

Foreasmuch as _N_. and _N_. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before G.o.d 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 p.r.o.nounce 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_.

G.o.d the Father, G.o.d the Son, G.o.d 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, going to the Lord's Table, shall say 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 well is thee, and happy shalt thou be.

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 miser eatur_. Psalm lxvii.

G.o.d 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 G.o.d: 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 G.o.d: yea, let all the people praise thee.

Then shall the earth bring forth her increase: and G.o.d, even our own G.o.d, shall give us his blessing.

G.o.d 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 before the Lord's Table, the Priest standing at the Table, and turning his face towards them, 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 trespa.s.ses, As we forgive them that trespa.s.s against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

_Minister_. O Lord, save thy servant, and thy handmaid;