Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in…

§. 3. Though the Churches of New-England, have with other Churches of the Reformation, sufficiently renounced the Popish Notion of the seven Sacraments; nor have they any Spiritual Courts for the Trial of Matrimonial Causes; yet the Celebration of a MARRIAGE in them, is now generally performed by their Pastors. For many Years after the first Settlement of these Colonies, a Marriage was ever celebrated by the Civil Magistrate; who not only gave the Marriage Covenant ⟨p. 112⟩unto the Parties, but also made the Prayers proper for the Occasion: However, if a Minister were present, he was desired usually, to make at least one of the Prayers. And the Justices have by Law to this Day, the Power to do it. But now the general Practise and Custom is for the Pastors to do it, tho' their Power be limited by the Law unto the Towns in which they enjoy the constant Exercise of their Ministry. Because the Prayers of Benediction on the Marriage are most proper to be made by the Pastors, the People generally request and expect their Pastors also to give the Covenant of their Marriage unto them.

In former Times our People, in Conformity to the Usages in the Ancient Church of Israel, and what have been continued in some Churches of the Reformation, maintained a Solemnity, called a Contraction, a little before the Consummation of a Marriage was allowed of. A Pastor was usually employed, and a Sermon also preached on this Occasion. But these Ancient Sponsalia, are now wholly laid aside.

In former Times our People, in Conformity to the Usages in the Ancient Church of Israel, and what have been continued in some Churches of the Reformation, maintained a Solemnity, called a Contraction, a little before the Consummation of a Marriage was allowed of. A Pastor was usually imployed, and a Sermon also preached on this Occasion. But these Ancient Sponsalia, are now wholly laid aside.