N02341:323
Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in…
Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in the churches of New-England. : With interspersed and instructive reflections on the discipline of the primitive churches. : [Seven lines from Ezekiel]
Boston: printed for S. Gerrish, 1726
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
A Consent unto this Covenant, being some way signified, he adds, —
I then declare you to be Married, according to the Laws of GOD, and of this Province. And what GOD has joined, Man may not separate.
In former Ages there was, and still in other Places, there is, much Stress laid upon the Wedding Ring. In the Roman Ritual, there is a Form of Benediction used by the Priest upon it. The ⟨p. 116⟩Religious Consecration of this Annulus pronubus, is described by Pignorius. But passing by what Gorlaeus in his Dactylotheca, and others have Remarked upon the Matter, we shall only say, that in the Weddings of New-England, the Ring makes none of the Ceremonies.
The Pastor now proceeds unto another Prayer; wherein, — The Honour which GOD has put upon Marriage by His Instituting of it in Paradise, and the Presence and Favour of our Great SAVIOUR once Working a Miracle at it, is considered. — The Grace to carry it well in all Relations is asked for; and particularly for the Persons now Married, — That their Behaviour towards each other may be full of that Goodness, which may be a lively and lovely Emblem, of of what passes between the Lord JESUS CHRIST and His Church; — That they may be such Blessings to each other, as that they may have Cause every Day to give Thanks unto GOD for giving them to one another; That all the Blessings of the Married State which are to be desired and expected, may be bestowed upon them; — Above all. That they may be blessed with Spiritual Blessings; & their Family may prove a Religious Family; and an House wherein the Religion of GOD our SAVIOUR shall be carried on with Continual Sacrifices; That our Lord would help them to pss the Time of their Sojourning here in the Fear of GOD, and prepare them for their parting Time, and for all the Troubles of this present Evil World, and at length give them a Portion in that better World, where they May not, nor are given in Marriage, but are wholly for the Lord; — That the