Chapter 31

_Then shall the Bishop say_,

Do ye here, in the presence of God, and of this Congregation, renew the solemn promise and vow that was made in your name at your Baptism; ratifying and confirming the same in your own persons, and acknowledging yourselves bound to believe and to do all those things, which your Godfathers and Godmothers then undertook for you?

_And every one shall audibly answer_,

I do.

_The Bishop_.

Our help is in the Name of the Lord;

_Answer_. Who hath made heaven and earth.

_Bishop_. Blessed be the Name of the Lord;

_Answer_. Henceforth world without end.

_Bishop_. Lord, hear our prayers.

_Answer_. And let our cry come unto thee.

_Bishop_.

Let us pray.

Almighty and ever-living God, who hast vouchsafed to regenerate these thy servants by Water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given unto them forgiveness of all their sins: Strengthen them, we beseech thee, O Lord, with the Holy Ghost the Comforter, and daily increase in them thy manifold gifts of grace; the spirit of wisdom and understanding; the spirit of counsel and ghostly strength; the spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and fill them, O Lord, with the spirit of thy holy fear, now and for ever. _Amen_.

_Then all of them in order kneeling before the Bishop, he shall lay his hand upon the head of every one severally, saying_,

Defend, O Lord, this thy Child [or _this thy Servant_] with thy heavenly grace, that _he_ may continue thine for ever; and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit, more and more, until _he_ come unto thy everlasting kingdom. Amen.

_Then shall the Bishop say_,

The Lord be with you.

_Answer_. And with thy spirit.

_And_ (_all kneeling down_) _the Bishop shall add_,

Let us pray.

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. Amen.

_And this Collect_.

Almighty and everliving God, who makest us both to will and to do those things that be good and acceptable unto thy divine Majesty; We make our humble supplications unto thee for these thy servants, upon whom (after the example of thy holy Apostles) we have now laid our hands, to certify them (by this sign) of thy favour and gracious goodness towards them. Let thy fatherly hand, we beseech thee, ever be over them; let thy Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of thy Word, that in the end they may obtain everlasting life; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. _Amen._

O almighty Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. _Amen_.

_Then the Bishop shall bless them, saying thus_,

The Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you, for ever. _Amen_.

_And there shall none be admitted to the holy Communion, until such time as he be confirmed, or be ready and desirous to be confirmed_.

| AN ALTERNATIVE ORDER FOR THE | |MINISTRATION OF CONFIRMATION | |AS CANONICALLY SANCTIONED IN THE SCOTTISH CHURCH | | | _The circumstances of this Church requiring on many occasions | such modifications of the Order of Confirmation as may render | it appropriate to candidates who had not godfathers and | godmothers at their baptism, the Bishop may substitute for the | Preface in the Order of Confirmation in the Book of Common | Prayer a suitable address, and may substitute for the question | Do ye here, etc., the three following questions_: | | Dost thou renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp | and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, | and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow | nor be led by them? | | _Answer_. I do. | | Dost thou believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven | and earth? And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord? And that he | was conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the Virgin Mary; that he | suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; | that he descended into hell, and the third day did rise again from | the dead; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right | hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence shall come to | judge the quick and the dead? | | And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholic | Church; the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of sins; the | Resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting? | | _Answer_. I do. | | Dost thou promise that thou wilt endeavour to keep God's holy | will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of thy | life? | | _Answer_. I do. | | _The Bishop_. | | Our help is in the Name of the Lord; | | _Answer_. Who hath made heaven and earth. | | _Bishop_. Blessed be the Name of the Lord; | | _Answer_. Henceforth world without end. | | _Bishop_. Lord, hear our prayers. | | _Answer_. And let our cry come unto thee. | | _Bishop_. | | Let us pray. | | Almighty and everliving God, who hast vouchsafed to regenerate | these thy servants by Water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given | unto them forgiveness of all their sins: Strengthen them, we | beseech thee, O Lord, with the Holy Ghost the Comforter, and | daily increase in them thy manifold gifts of grace; the spirit | of wisdom and understanding; the spirit of counsel and ghostly | strength; the spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and fill | them, O Lord, with the spirit of thy holy fear, now and for ever. | _Amen_. | | _Then all of them in order kneeling before the Bishop, he shall | lay his hand upon the head of every one severally_. | | _The Bishop, when administering Confirmation, may at his | discretion, with concurrence of the Clergyman, use the | following form in addition to that prescribed in the Book | of Common Prayer_: | | _N_. I sign thee with the sign of the cross [_here the Bishop | shall sign the person with the sign of the cross on the | forehead_] and I lay my hands [_or_ hand] upon thee, in the | Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. | | Defend, O Lord, this thy Child [_or_ this thy Servant] with thy | heavenly grace, that _he_ may continue thine for ever; and daily | increase in thy Holy Spirit, more and more, until _he_ come | unto thy everlasting kingdom. Amen. | | _Then shall the Bishop say_, | | The Lord be with you. | | _Answer_. And with thy spirit. | | _And_ (_all kneeling down_) _the Bishop shall add_, | | Let us pray. | | 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. Amen. | | _And this Collect_. | | Almighty and everliving God, who makest us both to will and | to do those things that be good and acceptable unto thy divine | Majesty: We make our humble supplications unto thee for these thy | servants, upon whom (after the example of thy holy Apostles) we | have now laid our hands, to certify them (by this sign) of thy | favour and gracious goodness towards them. Let thy fatherly hand, | we beseech thee, ever be over them; let thy Holy Spirit ever be | with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of | thy Word, that in the end they may obtain everlasting life; | through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Ghost | liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. _Amen_. | | O almighty Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech | thee, to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and | bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy | commandments; that through thy most mighty protection, both | here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through | our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. _Amen_. | | _Then the Bishop shall bless them, saying thus_, | | The Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy | Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you, for ever. _Amen_.

THE FORM OF SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY

_First, the Banns of all that are to be married together must be published in the Church three several Sundays, during the time of Morning Service, or of Evening Service_, (_if there be no Morning Service,_) _immediately after the second Lesson; the Curate saying after the accustomed manner_, I publish the Banns of Marriage between _N_. of and _N_. of------. If any of you know cause, or just impediment, why these two persons should not be joined together in holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the first [second, _or_ third] time of asking.

_And if the persons that are to be married dwell in divers Parishes, the Banns must be asked in both Parishes; and the Curate of the one Parish shall not solemnize Matrimony betwixt them, without a Certificate of the Banns being thrice asked, from the Curate of the other Parish_.

_At the day and time appointed for solemnization of Matrimony, the persons to be married shall come into the body of the Church with their friends and neighbours: and there standing together, the man on the right hand, and the woman on the left, the Priest shall say_,

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable 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 Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprized, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.

First, It was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name.

Secondly, It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body.

Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

| _The Clergyman may at his discretion shorten the prefatory_ | _address by reading it thus_: | | Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of | God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this | man and this woman in holy Matrimony: which is an honourable | 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 in Holy Writ to be honourable among all | men; and therefore is not by any to be taken in hand, unadvisedly, | lightly or wantonly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, | soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the chief causes | for which Matrimony was ordained. | | It was ordained for the increase of mankind according to the will | of God, and that children might be brought up in the fear and | nurture of the Lord and to the praise of his holy Name. | | It was also ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort | that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and | adversity. | | Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be | joined. Therefore if any man can shew any just cause why they | may not lawfully be joined together, let him now declare it.

_And also, speaking unto the persons that shall be married, he shall say_,

I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgement, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's Word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful.

_At which day of Marriage, if any man do allege and declare any impediment, why they may not be coupled together in Matrimony, by God's law, or the laws of this Realm; and will be bound, and sufficient sureties with him, to the parties; or else put in a caution_ (_to the full value of such charges as the persons to be married do thereby sustain_) _to prove his allegation: then the solemnization must be deferred, until such time as the truth be tried_.

_If no impediment be alleged, then shall the Curate say unto the man_,

_N_. Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, 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 Priest say unto the woman_,

_N_. Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, 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 shall the Minister say_,

Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

_Then shall they give their troth to each other in this manner_.

_The Minister, receiving the woman at her father's or friend's hands, shall cause the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand, and to say after him as followeth_.

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, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

_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 _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, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

_Then shall they again loose their hands; and the man shall give unto the woman a ring, laying the same upon the book with the accustomed duty to the Priest and Clerk. And the Priest, taking the ring, shall deliver it unto the man, to put it upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand. And the man holding the ring there, and taught by the Priest, shall say_,

With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

_Then the man leaving the ring upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand, they shall both kneel down, and the Minister shall 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, (whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge,) 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 Priest join their right hands together, and say_,

Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

_Then shall the Minister speak unto the people_.

Foreasmuch as _N_. and _N_. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man 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 favour 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 the Minister or Clerks, going to the Lord's Table, shall say or sing this Psalm following_.

_Beati omnes_. Psalm cxxviii.

Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: and walk in his ways.

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: O well is thee, and happy shalt thou be.

Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine: upon the walls of thy house;

Thy children like the olive branches: round about thy table.

Lo, thus shall the man be blessed: that feareth the Lord.

The Lord from out of Sion shall so bless thee: that thou shalt see Jerusalem in prosperity all thy life long;

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

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

_Or this Psalm_.

_Deus miser eatur_. Psalm lxvii.

God be merciful unto us, and bless us: and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us:

That thy way may be known upon earth: thy saving health among all nations.

Let the people praise thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise thee.

O let the nations rejoice and be glad: for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.

Let the people praise thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise thee.

Then shall the earth bring forth her increase: and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.

God shall bless us: and all the ends of the world shall fear him.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

_The Psalm ended, and the man and the woman kneeling before the Lord's Table, the Priest standing at the Table, and turning his face towards them, shall say_,

Lord, have mercy upon us.

_Answer_. Christ, have mercy upon us.

_Minister_. Lord, have mercy upon us.

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. Amen.

_Minister_. O Lord, save thy servant, and thy handmaid;

_Answer_. Who put their trust in thee.

_Minister_. O Lord, send them help from thy holy place;

_Answer_. And evermore defend them.

_Minister_. Be unto them a tower of strength;

_Answer_. From the face of their enemy.

_Minister_. O Lord, hear our prayer;

_Answer_. And let our cry come unto thee.

_Minister_.

O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, bless these thy servants, and sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts; that whatsoever in thy holy Word they shall profitably learn, they may in deed fulfil the same. Look, O Lord, mercifully upon them from heaven, and bless them. And as thou didst send thy blessing upon Abraham and Sarah, to their great comfort, so vouchsafe to send thy blessing upon these thy servants; that they obeying thy will, and alway being in safety under thy protection, may abide in thy love unto their lives end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_This Prayer next following shall be omitted, where the woman is past child-bearing_.

O merciful Lord, and heavenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankind is increased: We beseech thee, assist with thy blessing these two persons, that they may both be fruitful in procreation of children, and also live together so long in godly love and honesty, that they may see their children christianly and virtuously brought up, to thy praise and honour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

| _Or this prayer following may be used_. | | O almighty God, Creator of mankind, who only art the well-spring | of life: Bestow upon these thy servants, if it be thy will, the | gift and heritage of children; and grant that they may see their | children brought up in thy faith and fear to the honour and glory | of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

O God, who by thy mighty power hast made all things of nothing; who also (after other things set in order) didst appoint, that out of man (created after thine own image and similitude) woman should take her beginning; and, knitting them together, didst teach that it should never be lawful to put asunder those whom thou by Matrimony hadst made one: O God, who hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery, that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church: Look mercifully upon these thy servants, that both this man may love his wife, according to thy Word, (as Christ did love his spouse the Church, who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing it even as his own flesh,) and also that this woman may be loving and amiable, faithful and obedient to her husband; and in all quietness, sobriety, and peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O Lord, bless them both, and grant them to inherit thy everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_Then shall the Priest say_,

Almighty God, who at the beginning did create our first parents, Adam and Eve, and did sanctify and join them together in marriage; Pour upon you the riches of his grace, sanctify and bless you, that ye may please him both in body and soul, and live together in holy love unto your lives end. _Amen_.

_After which, if there be no Sermon declaring the duties of man and wife, the Minister shall read as followeth_.

All ye that are married, or that intend to take the holy estate of Matrimony upon you, hear what the holy Scripture doth say as touching the duty of husbands towards their wives, and wives towards their husbands.