select such things as explicate or illustrate our present office, viz. The form of Solemnization of Matrimony in the Church of England; which is composed with so exquisite judgment and excellent piety, that it all along instructs those who are to be conjoined by it in all parts of their duty: nor can any church in the world. shew so many proper exhortations, so many suitable prayers and blessings on this occasion, as I hope this following table of the method of the whole office, and the discourses on its several parts, will abundantly declare.

PARTITION I.

OF THE

PREPARATION BEFORE MATRIMONY.

SECTION I.

OF THE PREFACE, OR THE GENERAL EXHORTATION.

§. I. ALTHOUGH the Christian Church hath ever privately reproved those extravagancies that attend on nuptial solemnities, and in the ancient and famous council of Laodicea publicly forbidden all revels and dancing at marriage feasts a; yet the mischievous custom of many ages hath mingled so much looseness and folly with these festivals, and the company that attend on them are so prone to the indecencies of wantonness and trifling mirth, that it is not easy to make either the parties or the congregation so serious and thoughtful, as is requisite to the performance of so religious and weighty a duty. Yet, that nothing may

3 Οὐ δεῖ Χριστιανοὺς εἰς γάμους ἀπερχομένους, βαλλίζειν ἢ ὀρχεῖσθαι, ἀλλὰ σεμνώς δειπνεῖν ἢ ἀριστᾷν ὡς

πρέπει Χριστιανοῖς. Concil. Laod. Can. 53. An. 319.

be omitted which may give check to such unseasonable vanities, the Protestant churches, as well of England as of France, do begin the office with an awful and grave preface. And in this of ours, we do represent that sacred action, to which we are addressing ourselves, to be of so divine an original, of so high a nature, and of so infinite concernment to all mankind, that they are not only vain and imprudent, but also impious and impudent, who will not lay aside their levity, and compose their spirits upon this grand occasion; and doubtless we should be effectually cured of all our loose thoughts and light behaviour, if we would but consider the contents of this seasonable and exquisite exhortation.

§. II. Wherein there is a twofold care taken; 1. To promote the, doing of this duty well; 2. To prevent the doing of it ill.

First, in order to the doing of it well, here are, first, two seasonable admonitions; secondly, three useful instructions. The admonitions are, 1. Where we are, viz. in the presence of God and of his people: 2. What we came hither for, viz. to join these two in holy matrimony. And accordingly we are instructed in three particulars concerning matrimony; i. The venerable nature of the duty, considering, 1. Its divine institution; 2. Its mysterious signification; 3. Its appendant honour. ii. We are instructed in the manner how it is to be undertaken, as well, 1. Negatively, not unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, &c., as, 2. Affirmatively, viz. reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. iii. We are instructed in the ends for which it was ordained, being three; 1. The propagation of mankind; 2. The prevention of fornication; 3. The provision for mutual help and comfort. And this is the first part.

Secondly, to prevent the doing of it ill. Here is an 10 address to the whole congregation, requiring them to declare any impediments which can be alleged against this intended marriage.

All which particulars are so proper, and so necessary to be observed upon this occasion, that we cannot possibly devise any better preparation for the following administration, than to discourse on the several parts of this preface; there being nothing more fit to be premised before the celebration of marriage than the consideration of these things; in the drawing up of which the incomparable composers of our Liturgy have strictly followed that great apostolic rule, Let all things be done to edifying, 1 Cor. xiv. 26, and given us just reason to admire how they could say so much and so well in so little room, and that without any thing either deficient or redundant.

§. III. DEARLY BELOVED, WE ARE GATHERED TO

GETHER HERE IN THE SIGHT OF GOD, AND IN THE FACE OF THIS CONGREGATION, TO JOIN TOGETHER THIS MAN

AND THIS WOMAN IN HOLY MATRIMONY]

This address is directed to all that are present, especially to the parties to be married; and is intended to admonish the whole company, but these more particularly. First, in what place they now are, that their behaviour may be suitable to the sanctity thereof. Let them remember, therefore, they are now in God's house, the place of his immediate presence, and say with holy Jacob, How dreadful is this place! this is none other than the house of God, this is the gate of heaven, Gen. xxviii. 17. Let them call to mind that the glorious Majesty which dwells here hates all impurity, and discerns it if it lie in the secretest corner of their hearts; and to be rude and immodest, to laugh, or to act any indecency in this place, is to affront the