MARRIAGE. FORM I. PRAYER. ALL our happiness proceeds from thee, O God, and unto thee our gratitude is ever due. For our paft experience of thy goodness, for our prefent felicity, and for our future profpects, we defire to render unto thee, the Father of mercies, the tribute of our unfeigned praise and thanksgiving. We befeech thee, O Lord, to cause the light of thy countenance to shine upon us at this time, and to bless the occafion of our meeting together, for the fake of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. AMEN. THE EXHORTATION. WE learn from facred fcripture that marriage is a very ancient and honourable inftitution. Ever since the world exifted, the con jugal ftate has been, not only the foundation, but alfo the chief bond and cement of human fociety. And when this connection is formed betwixt two perfons poffeft of a competent share of good fenfe and difcretion, it promises to produce as much happiness as this world can admit of. Married perfons ought to look themselves as no longer twain but one: they are to consider themselves as more intimately connected to one another, than to the whole world befides. Indeed this relation implies and presupposes an union of hearts, a warm affection, and a hearty efteem for each other, which ought to be carefully cherished and preferved throughout their whole lives. upon Further, as married perfons can have only one intereft, their joys and forrows fhould always be one. And how comfortable is it to have a faithful friend, dear as our own foul, to whom we can freely disclose the secrets of our hearts, in full confidence that our friend will participate both in our pleasures and our pains, will divide our cares and double all our joys?! It is even gratifying to thofe who look on, to see two persons of accomplished minds joined together in wedlock, discharging their respective duties with punctuality, and enjoying all the comforts of domestic life. What a pleasure is it to behold a happy pair, who are united not only in affection and interest, but alfo in their tafte for the fame improvements, the fame recreations and pleasures! while habitual complacence fweetens their fatisfaction, while love and tenderness fhine in their countenance, and every word and every action. declares that they are mutually pleased, and that it is their chief study to make each other happy! Such an amiable picture, will, I trust, always be exhibited in that family over which you are henceforth jointly to prefide. (The Minifter fhall now defire the parties to join hands, and fhall fay to the man as follows.) WILT thou have this woman to be thy married Wife, and doft thou, in the presence of God, and before these witnesses, promise |