Ritual Conformity Part 12

214. First the Banns of all that are to be married together must be published in the Church three several Sundays or Holy-days, in the time of Divine Service, immediately before the Sentences for the Offertory; the Curate saying after the accustomed manner,

On the question of the time for the Publication of Banns, see note on Rubric 99.

The rubric leaves it to the discretion of the Curate how to act, when any one rises in answer to his invitation, to declare some cause or impediment; and it is only reasonable that some words, though not set down, should be spoken by the Curate, to shew that the person has been heard. It is perhaps advisable, having regard to the precautions directed to be taken in the later rubric touching the same matter, that the Curate, while stating that he hears the declaration, should request the objector to speak to him more fully on the matter, after the Divine service is ended; and then it is also advisable to demand that the objection should be made in writing.

215. 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.

216. 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, &c.

This direction to come into the 'body of the church' is best obeyed by placing the persons to be married outside the chancel, and at the chancel-step, the Priest standing upon or above the step, and turning his face towards them.

The word 'Priest' here is to be interpreted strictly, as excluding a Deacon, in accordance with the ancient law and usage that marriage ought not to be celebrated by a Deacon. Though a marriage so celebrated would not be invalid, it is contrary to all order that a Deacon should take upon himself to p.r.o.nounce the solemn benedictions of the Church contained in this rite.

217. And also, speaking unto the persons that shall be married, he shall say, I require, &c.

218. At which day of Marriage, if any man do alledge and declare any impediment, why they may not be coupled together in Matrimony, by G.o.d'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.

219. If no impediment be alledged, then shall the Curate say unto the Man, Wilt thou have, &c.

220. The Man shall answer,

_I will_.

221. Then shall the Priest say unto the Woman, Wilt thou have, &c.

222. The Woman shall answer,

_I will_.

223. Then shall the Minister say, Who giveth, &c.

224. Then shall they give their troth to each other in this manner.

225. 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, &c.

Care should be taken by the Minister not to permit the father or friend who gives the woman to be married, to give the woman's hand to the man, but to receive it himself, and himself give it to the man.

226. 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, &c.

227. 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.

The order to lay the accustomed duty to the Priest and Clerk on the Book, was introduced in 1552, and this seems to be the legal opportunity for the payment of marriage-fees. It must be observed that if this rubric be complied with, the accustomed duty must be removed from the book before the Priest can conveniently proceed with the Service, though any direction for removing it is omitted in the rubric.

228. 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, &c.

229. 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 G.o.d, &c.

230. Then shall the Priest join their right hands together, and say, Those whom, &c.

This is a peculiarity of the English rite, and a very solemn and important part of it. It should, therefore, be done very carefully and accurately, and should not be obscured by any additional ceremonial, that all men may recognise the far-reaching simplicity of our Lord's prohibition of dissolution of marriage, extending to all human action, except that of the Church, whatever civil authority such other action may possess.

231. Then shall the Minister speak unto the people. Forasmuch as, &c.

232. And the Minister shall add this Blessing. G.o.d the Father, &c.

233. Then the Minister or Clerks, going to the Lord's Table, shall say or sing this Psalm following. Blessed are all, &c.

It is in accordance with this rubric that the Psalm should be said or sung while going (in procession) to the Lord's Table. The alternative, 'or Clerks,' does not affect the minister's going to the Lord's Table, as may be seen in the original rubric of the Prayer-Book of 1549, which ran 'Then shall they go into the quire, and the Ministers or Clerks shall say, or sing,' &c. The word 'clerks' being introduced in connection with the alternative of singing, not with the going to the Lord's Table.

234. Or this Psalm. G.o.d be merciful, &c.

235. 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, &c.

The Priest must obviously stand at the midst of the Holy Table, and between it and the man and woman kneeling at the steps thereof.

236. This Prayer next following shall be omitted, where the Woman is past child-bearing. O merciful Lord, &c.

237. Then shall the Priest say. Almighty G.o.d, &c.

238. After which, if there be no Sermon declaring the duties of Man and Wife, the Minister shall read as followeth. All ye, &c.

When the Holy Communion is celebrated at the time of a marriage, the address, if used, is to be read in the usual place of the sermon in the Communion Service.

In exercise of the liberty of choosing any suitable subject relating to the duties of man and wife, it is well to insist especially upon the indissolubility of the marriage tie.

239. It is convenient that the new-married persons should receive the holy Communion at the time of their Marriage, or at the first opportunity after their Marriage.

This rubric testifies to the intention of the Church that Matrimony should be sealed by the reception of Holy Communion. When considered in conjunction with the ancient feeling in favour of early and fasting Communion, the direction of Canon 62, that Marriages should be celebrated before twelve o'clock at noon, and the custom of styling the subsequent festivity a breakfast, all point the same way. And as Marriage is for all who desire it in the fear of G.o.d, the Church hereby a.s.sumes that all her Members are Communicants.

THE ORDER FOR

THE VISITATION OF THE SICK.

240. When any person is sick, notice shall be given thereof to the Minister of the Parish; who, coming into the sick person's house, shall say,

The direction that notice should be given to the Minister of the parish was first inserted in the Prayer-Book of 1662; indicating that he is the proper person to discharge the Priest's duty in ministering to the sick.

This office, being of a more solemn and formal character than an ordinary visit to a sick person, should be used, if possible, with proper ornaments of the Minister, such as the Surplice and Stole, or, at all events, the Stole.

241. When he cometh into the sick man's presence he shall say, kneeling down, Remember not, Lord, &c.

242. Then the Minister shall say, Let us pray.