First, It was ordained for the procreation 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.
| The Clergyman may at his discretion shorten the prefatory | address by reading it thus: | | 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 in Holy Writ to be honourable among all | men; and therefore is not by any to be taken in hand, unadvisedly, | lightly or wantonly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, | soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the chief causes | for which Matrimony was ordained. | | It was ordained for the increase of mankind according to the will | of God, and that children might be brought up in the fear and | nurture of the Lord and to the praise of his holy Name. | | It was also 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 declare it.
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 coupled 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,
N. 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,