the wife as the weaker veffel, confidering that ye are joint heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindred; and fince it is God's command, that the man fhall eat his bread in the fweat of his face, therefore you are to labour diligently and faithfully, in the calling wherein God hath fet you, that you may maintain your houfhold honefly, and likewife have fomething to give to the poor.

In like manner fhall you, who are the bride, know how you are to carry yourself towards your husband, according to the word of God: you are to love your lawful husband, to honour and fear him, as alfo to be obedient unto him in all lawful things, as to your Lord, as the body is obedient to the head, and the church to Chrift. You fhall not exercise any dominion over your husband, but be filent: for Adam was first created, and then Eve to be a help to Adam; and after the fall. God faid to Eve, and in her to all women, your will shall be subject to your husband: you fhall not refift this ordinance of God, but be obedient to the word of God, and follow the examples of godly women, who truffed in God, and were fubiect to their husbands ; as Sarah was obedient to Abraham, calling him her lord : you shall also be an help to your husband in all good and lawful things looking to your family, and walking in all honefty and virme, without worldly pride, that you may give an example to others of

madely

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Wherefore you N. and you N. having now understood that God hath inftituted marriage, and what he commands you therein; are ye willing thus to behave yourfelves in this holy ftate, as you here do confefs before this chriftian affembly, and are defrous that you be confirmed in the same ? Anfwer. Yes.

[Whereupon the minifter fhall fay to the affembly,] I take you all, who are met here, to witnefs, that there is brought no lawful impediment:

[Forther to the married perfons,]

Since then it is fit that you be furthered in this your work, the Lord God confirm your purpofe, which he hath given you; and your beginning be in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth,

}

{ Hereupon, they fall join hands together and the minifter fpeak firft to the bridegroom, N. Do you acknowledge here before God, and this his holy church, that you have taken, and do take to your lawful wife N. here prefent, promifing her never to forfake her; to love her faithfully, to maintain her as a faithful and pious husband is bound to do to his lawful wife; that you will live holily with her; keeping faith and truth to her in all things according to the holy gofpel?

Anfwer. Yes.

[Afterwards to the bride,]

N. Do you acknowledge here before God, and

this his holy church, that you have taken, and do take to your lawful husband N. here present, promifing to be obedient to him, to ferve and affitt him,. never to forfake him, to live holily with him, keeping faith and truth to him in all things, as a pious. and faithful wife is bound to her lawful husband, according to the holy gofpel?

[Then the minifter fall fay,]

The father of all mercies, who of his grace hath called you to this holy fate of marriage, bind you in true love and faithfulness, and grant you his bleffing, Amen..

Hear now from the gospel, how firm the bond of marriage is, as defcribed, Matthew, chapter xix, verfes, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

"The Pharifees came unto him, tempting him,. "and faying unto him, is it lawful for a man to put 66 away his wife for every caufe? and he answered "and faid unto them, have ye not read, that he "which made them at the beginning, made them"male and female? and faid, for this caufe fhall 66 a man leave father and mother and fhall cleave "to his wife; and they twain fhall be one flesh; "wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. "What therefore God hath joined together, let not "man put asunder. They fay unto him, why did "Mofes then command to give a writing of di"vorcement, and to put her away? he faith unto

"them, Mofes, becaufe of the hardness of your “hearts, fuffered you to put away your wives; but "from the beginning it was not fo. And I fay "unto you, whofoever fhall put away his wife, ex"cept it be for fornication, and fhal! marry another "committeth adultery: and whofo marrieth her "which is put away, doth commit adultery.”

Believe thefe words of Chrift, and be certain and affured, that our Lord God hath joined you together in this holy fate. You are therefore to receive, whatever befalls you therein with patience and thanksgiving, as from the hand of God, and thus all things will turn to your advantage and falvation, Amen.

Then the minifter fhall bid the married perfons to kneel down, and exhort the congregation to pray for them.

LMIGHTY God, thou who difplayeft thy good

nefs and wifdom in all thy works and ordinances, and haft said from the beginning, that it is not good that man fhould be alone, and therefore bast made an help meet for him, and ordained, that thofe who were two should be one, and likewife punishest all uncleannefs. We befeech thee (since thou haft called these two perfons to the holy ftate of marriage, and joined them together) replenish them with thy holy Spirit, that they may piously live together according to thy divine will in true and firm faith, and resist all wickedness, Vouchsafe to bless them,

as thou didst fend thy bleffing upon the faithful fathers, thy friends and fervants, Abraham, Ifaac, and i Jacob; that they may as co-heirs of the covenant (which thou didst make with thofe fathers) educate the children which thou shalt be pleafed to give them,. in all godliness, to the glory of thy holy name, to the edification of thy church, and to the propagation of thy holy gofpel, Hear us O Father of mercies! for Jefus Chrift's fake thy beloved Son our Lord, in whofe name we conclude our prayers, faying, Oure Father, &c..

[Hearken now to the promife of God from 128 Pfalm.]

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

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands; happy fhalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Thy wife thall be as a fruitful vine by the fides of thine house; thy children like olive plants, round about thy table.

Behold, that thus fhall the man be bleffed, that feareth the Lord..

The Lord hall bless thee out of Zion; and thou fhalt fee the good of Jerufalem all the days of thy: life,.

Yea, thou shalt fee thy children's children, and peace upon Ifrael..

The Lord our God replenish you with his grace,