MATRIMONY.

When the persons to be married are assembled with their friends, the Man standing on the right and the Woman on the left, the Minister may, if he deems it advisable, address those present in these words: (or he may omit all before the Prayer :)

WE are assembled in the sight of God, and in the presence of this company, to join together this man and this woman in matrimony. If any man can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.

And also, speaking to the persons to be married, he may say,

I REQUIRE and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not lawfully be united in matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be

ye well assured, that so many as are joined together otherwise than God's word doth allow, their marriage is not lawful.

The following Prayer shall then be offered:

ALMIGHTY GOD, who givest to thy children all things richly to enjoy, send down thy blessings upon us, and guide our hearts to the love of all goodness, and confirm us in the same. Enable thy servants, who are about to pledge to each other their mutual faith and love, deeply to feel the solemnity of the obligations into which they enter. Teach them to feel their entire dependence upon thee; and that which they solemnly promise, may they heartily perform, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Minister shall then cause the Man and the Woman to join their right hands, and shall address the Man in these words:

In the presence of God, and of these witnesses, you solemnly declare that you take this woman to be your lawful and wedded wife, to live together, after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of Matrimony. And you promise, as you hope for the mercy of God, that you will love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and health, in prosperity and adversity; that, forsaking all others, you will be faithful to her, and conduct yourself towards her in all respects as a dutiful and Christian husband, until God shall separate you by death. This will you faithfully do?

The Man shall answer,

I WILL.

Then shall the Minister say unto the Woman,

In the presence of God, and of these witnesses, you solemnly declare that you take this man to be your lawful and wedded husband, to live together, after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of Matrimony. And you promise, as you hope for the mercy of God, that you will love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and health, in prosperity and adversity; that, forsaking all others, you will be faithful to him, and conduct yourself towards him in all respects as a dutiful and Christian wife, until God shall separate you by death. This will you faithfully do?

The Woman shall answer,

I WILL.

[If a ring is used, the Man shall here give it to the Woman, putting it upon the fourth finger of the left hand. And the Man, holding the ring there, and taught by the Minister, shall say, With this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.]

The Minister shall then say,

I THEREFORE, as the minister of Jesus Christ, having witnessed your mutual vows here made before

God and this company, do pronounce you to be, by the laws of God and man, husband and wife; and those whom God hath joined together let not man put asunder.

Then shall be offered this Prayer :

O ETERNAL GOD, giver of all spiritual grace, send thy blessings 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 in the world to come they may enter into the life everlasting. We ask this in the name and as the disciples of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK.

PRAYER FOR A SICK PERSON.

OUR Father in heaven, look down with mercy and pity upon thy servant, and lay not thy chastening hand upon him more heavily than he can bear. Let him acknowledge, with submission and humility, that even in judgment thou art merciful, and that of very faithfulness thou hast caused him to be troubled. Thou dost afflict him with a parent's wisdom; O sustain him with a parent's love. Let thy grace be sufficient for him in all his need, and let the holy influences of thy Spirit hold him up in his weakness, and inspire his heart with strength, and hope, and confidence. Let not any pain or suffering, however acute, discompose the order of his thoughts, his submission, his gratitude, or his duty. Together with his trials, wilt thou provide a way for his escape, even by the mercies of a longer and holier life, or by the mercies of a peaceful and blessed death – even as it pleaseth thee, O Lord.

Thou knowest all the necessities and all the in