Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, are most high in the glory of God the Father. AMEN.

Then the Minister, if he see it expedient, may offer an extempore prayer ; and afterwards shall let the people depart with this blessing:

May the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. AMEN. N.B.-If the Minister be straitened for time, he may omit any part of the Service, except the Prayer of Consecration.

IV.

MATRIMONY.

FORM OF THE SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY.

First, the banns of all that are to be married must be published in the Congregation according to law, unless in cases where license has been obtained.

At the time appointed for the solemnization of matrimony, the persons to be married standing together, the man at the right hand of the woman, the Minister shall say:

DEARLY BELOVED: We are gathered together here, in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which

is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and His Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with His presence, and first miracle that He wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of St. Paul to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be enterprised or taken in hand unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God.

Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore, if any one can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.

And also speaking unto the persons that are to be married, he shall say:

I require and charge you both (as you 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 you may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, you do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than as God's Word doth allow, are not joined together by God, neither is their matrimony lawful.

If no impediment be alleged, then shall the Minister say unto the man:

M, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

The man shall answer:

I WILL.

Then shall the Minister say unto the woman :

N, wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

The woman shall answer:

I WILL.

Then the Minister shall cause the man, with his right hand, to take the woman by the right hand, and to say after him as followeth:

I, M, take thee, N, to be 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, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my faith.

Then shall they loose their hands, and the woman, with her right hand, taking the man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the Minister:

I, N, take thee, M, to be 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, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my faith.

When the parties desire to be married with a ring, the following form may be used :—The man, placing the ring upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand, shall say after the Minister:

With this ring, a token and pledge of the vow and covenant now made between me and thee, I do thee wed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Then shall the Minister say:

Let us pray.

O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life, send Thy blessing upon these Thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in Thy name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to Thy laws, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Then shall the Minister say:

O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, bless this man and this woman, and sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts, that whatsoever in Thy holy Word they shall profitably learn, they may indeed fulfil the same. Look, O Lord, mercifully on them from heaven, and bless them. And as Thou didst send Thy blessings upon Abraham and Sarah, to their great comfort, so vouchsafe to send Thy blessings upon this man and this woman, that they, obeying Thy will, and always being in safety under Thy protection, may abide in Thy love until their lives' end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Then shall the Minister join their right hands together, and say: Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

Forasmuch as M and N have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this

company, and thereto have pledged their faith, either to other, and have declared the same by joining of hands, and by the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife together,—In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. AMEN.

And the Minister shall add this blessing:

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with His favor look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. AMEN.

Then shall the Minister say:

Our Father who 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 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from AMEN.

us.

evil.

V.

BURIAL OF THE DEAD.

FORM FOR THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD.

[N.B. The following or some other solemn service shall be used.]

The Minister meeting the corpse, and going before it, shall say: I am the resurrection, and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he