If the Persons that are to be married dwell in diffe rent Parishes, the Banns must be published in both Parishes, and the Minister of one Parish shall not solemnize Marriage between them, without a Certi ficate of the Banns being thrice asked by, and from the Minister of the other Parish. If no Impedi ment is alledged, or declared, neither by the Persons who are to be married nor any other, why they may not be united together according to the Law of God, or the Laws of the Church and the Realm, then on the Day appointed for the Solemnization of Marriage, the Persons to be married, having first been at Confession, and, if judged convenient by the Minister, received the B. Sacrament, shall come with at least two cr three Witnesses to the Altar, and there standing together, the woman on the right Hand of the Man, the Priest, may. reud an Exhor tation to this effect.

Ir is presumed, that you, who here present yourselves to be joined in the bonds of marriage, come with dispositions suitable to that design. Marriage is a solemn engagement, which is to last for life. How necessary, then, is it, not to enter upon it till after a most serious and mature deli beration. It is a holy state, first instituted by Almighty God between our first parents in Paradise; ratified and confirmed by the Son of God in the new Testament; adorned and honoured by the first miracle which he wrought; and blessed, and raised by him to the dignity of a sacrament, in order to bestow such divine grace upon those who come well disposed to it, as may enable them to comply with the obligations, and to perform the duties of it: the chief of these are mutual love and affection. This love, on the woman's side, must be accompanied with respect and obedience to her husband: and on the man's side, with humanity, regard, and tenderness towards his wife. Hear what the Holy Ghost dictates on this occasion by the mouth of St. Paul: Let wives be sub

ject to their husbands as to the Lord: and again: Let every man love his wife as himself. The submission of the wife to the husband is a precept of religion, founded upon that superiority of nature, which almighty God hath imparted to man. This is confirmed by St. Paul: Man is the head of the woman, saith he, as Christ is the head of the church. This obedience of the wife is to extend to every thing that is not contrary to the laws of God and his church, and ought to be cheerfully complied with, as it is just, conformable to reason, and commanded by almighty God. On the other hand, the love and tenderness which the husband ought to have for his wife, are equally founded in nature, and of divine prescription. Where a respectful obedience is offered to man, there, reason tells him, he owes a return of kind regard and affection, and such is the tenor of the apostle's instruction: Husbands, love your wives, saith St. Paul, as Christ loveth the church, and be not bitter against them.

Let these necessary principles possess your hearts, and they will greatly facilitate the performance of all other mutual obligations. Be ye ready, upon all occasions, to administer comfort and assistance to one another, and concur in sustaining the burthen of cares that usually attend the conjugal state. Be ye sincere in keeping inviolable fidelity to each other, which is signified to you by the marriage-ring, which is communicated from one to the other; and be ye ever ready to allow a reasonable and mutual communication of temporal goods, as far as is necessary for each other's ease and support, as is intimated by the money delivered by the man to the woman. fine-let religion be your guide.-It directs you to labour jointly in procuring each other's salvation-it requires of you to bear each other's hu mours and imperfections:-it enjoins you to give

In

all necessary care to your family, to educate your children in the fear of God, and to form them to virtue by your own good example.

By your mutual and hearty concurrence in the performance of these duties, holy love and heavenly peace will abound in your dwelling; and while the mutual love of Christ and his church is made the pattern of your affection, you will go hand in hand in the discharge of your respective duties, and part only for another and a better meeting; a meeting in the kingdom of your heavenly Bridegroom, never, never more to partbut to live through endless ages in the mutual enjoyment of his love and grace unspeakable. Amen. Then the Priest says to the Man,

N. Wilt thou take N. here present, for thy lawful wife, according to the rite of our holy mother the Church?

¶ Then the Priest says to the Woman,

N. Wilt thou take N. here present, for thy lawful husband, according to the rite of our holy mother the Church?

I will.

¶The woman shall answer,

The Priest then tells the Man to take with his right hand, the Woman by her right hand, and to say after him, as follows:

I, N. take thee, N. to my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part, if the holy church will it permit; and thereto I plight thee my troth. Then shall they loase their hands; and the Woman with her right hand taking the Man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the Priest:

1, N. take thee, N. to my wedded husband, to

have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death us do part, if the holy church will it permit; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

¶ Then the Priest says,

I join you in wedlock, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then the Priest blesses the Ring, saying,

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
A. Who hath made heaven and earth.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.

A. And let my cry come unto thee.
V. Our Lord be with you.

A. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

Bless, O Lord, this ring, which we bless in thy name; that she, who is to wear it, keeping an inviolable fidelity to her spouse, may ever remain in peace, and in thy will, and always live in mutual love through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Priest then taking the Ring, delivers it to the Man, and tells him to put it on the fourth finger of the Woman's left hand; and also, according to the custom of England, he tells him at the same time, to give her some gold or silver; and the Man holding the Ring, then the Priest tells him to say after him, as follows;

With this ring I thee wed, this gold and silver I thee give, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the name of the Father, (placing it on the thumb) and of the Son, (placing it on the fore-finger) and of the Holy Ghost. (placing it on the middle-finger) Amen. (leaving it on the third fin ger.

After this the Priest says,

V. Confirm, O God, this which thou hast wrought in us.

A. From thy holy temple, which is in Jeru

salem.

V. Lord have mercy upon us.

A. Christ have mercy upon us.
V. Lord have mercy upon us.
Our Father, &c.

V. And lead us not into temptation.
A. But deliver us from evil.

V. Save thy servants.

A. Who put their trust in thee.

V. O Lord, send them help from thy holy place.
A. And from Sion protect them.

V. Be to them, O Lord, a tower of strength.
A. From the face of the enemy.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.

A. And let my cry come unto thee.
V. The Lord be with you.

A. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

Look down, we beseech thee, upon these thy servants, and mercifully attend to thine institutions, whereby thou hast ordained the propagation of mankind: that they who are joined together by thy authority, may be preserved by thy aid. Thro' Christ our Lord. Amen.

After this, in all first Marriages, the following Nuptial Benediction is given; but in second Marriages it is omitted.

MERCIFULLY give ear, O Lord, to our prayers, and let thy grace accompany this thy institution, by which thou hast ordained the propagation of mankind, that this tie which is made by thy authority, may be preserved by thy grace. Thro' Christ our Lord. Amen.