229. 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 God, &c.
230. Then shall the Priest join their right hands together, and say, Those whom, &c.
This is a peculiarity of the English rite, and a very solemn and important part of it. It should, therefore, be done very carefully and accurately, and should not be obscured by any additional ceremonial, that all men may recognise the far-reaching simplicity of our Lord's prohibition of dissolution of marriage, extending to all human action, except that of the Church, whatever civil authority such other action may possess.
231. Then shall the Minister speak unto the people. Forasmuch as, &c.
232. And the Minister shall add this Blessing. God the Father, &c.
233. Then the Minister or Clerks, going to the Lord's Table, shall say or sing this Psalm following. Blessed are all, &c.
It is in accordance with this rubric that the Psalm should be said or sung while going (in procession) to the Lord's Table. The alternative, 'or Clerks,' does not affect the minister's going to the Lord's Table, as may be seen in the original rubric of the Prayer-Book of 1549, which ran 'Then shall they go into the quire, and the Ministers or Clerks shall say, or sing,' &c. The word 'clerks' being introduced in connection with the alternative of singing, not with the going to the Lord's Table.
234. Or this Psalm. God be merciful, &c.
235. 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, &c.