even as our Saviour loved his church-that is to say, his elect and faithful congregation, for the which he gave his life. his life. In like manner, also, it is the wife's duty to study to please and obey her husband, serving him in all things that be godly and honest; for she is in subjection and under the governance of her husband so long as they continue both alive.

And this holy marriage being a thing most honourable, is of such virtue and force, that thereby the husband hath no more right or power over his own body, but the wife; and likewise the wife hath no more right or power over her body, but the husband.

Here the minister speaketh to the parties that are there present to be married, in this wise:

I require and charge you, as ye will answer at the day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you do know any impediment why you may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, that ye confess it; for be ye well assured that so many as be coupled otherwise than God's word doth allow, are not joined together of God, nor is their matrimony lawful.

Then shall the man repeat after the minister :

[I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, A. B., may not be joined in matrimony to C. D.]

Then shall the woman repeat after the minister :

[I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, C. D., may not be joined in matrimony to A. B.]

Then the minister saith to the whole congregation:

I take you to witness that be here present, beseeching you all to have good remembrance hereof, and, moreover, if there be any of you who knoweth that either of these parties be contracted to any other, or knoweth any other lawful impediment, let them now make declaration thereof.

If no cause be alleged, the minister proceedeth; saying to the man :

Forasmuch as no man speaketh against this thing, you, A. B., shall protest here, before God and his holy congregation, that you take and are now contented to have C. D., here present, for your lawful wife. Will you keep her, love and intreat her in all things according to the duty of a faithful husband, forsaking all other during her life; and briefly live in a holy conversation with her, keeping faith and truth in all points, according as the word of God or his holy Gospel doth command?

The man shall answer,

I will.

Then the minister saith also to the woman:

You, C. D., shall protest here, before God and in the presence of this his congregation, that you take and are now contented to have A. B., here present, for your lawful husband. Will you give him subjection and obedience, forsaking all other during his life; and finally live in a holy conversation with him, keeping faith and truth in all points, as God's word doth prescribe?

The woman shall answer,

I will.

Then shall the man with his right hand take the woman by her right hand, and say after the minister as followeth :

[I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, A. B., do take thee, C. D., to be my lawful wedded wife.]

Then loosing hands, the woman with her right hand shall take the man by his right hand, and say after the minister :

[I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, C. D., do take thee, A. B., to be my lawful wedded husband.]

Then shall the man put a ring on the fourth finger of the woman's left hand.

Then shall the minister say:

I pronounce A. B. and C. D. to be man and wife. Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

Then shall the minister commend them to God in this or like sort:

The Lord sanctify and bless you: the Lord pour the riches of his grace upon you, that ye may please him, and live together in holy love to your lives' end; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

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 trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Then shall be said Psalm cxxviii.

Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

Then the minister saith:

Give diligent ear to the gospel, that ye may understand how our Lord would have this holy contract kept and observed, and how sure and fast a knot it is, which may in no wise be loosed, according as we are taught in the nineteenth chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel, verse third :

"The Pharisees came unto Christ, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together let not man put asunder."

If ye believe assuredly these words which our Lord and Saviour did speak, according as ye have heard them now rehearsed out of the holy Gospel, then may ye be certain that God hath even so knit you together in the holy estate of wedlock: wherefore apply yourselves to live together in godly love, in Christian peace, and good example, ever holding fast the bond of charity without any breach, keeping faith and truth the one to the other, even as God's word doth appoint.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.