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not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that she should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church for ye are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

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For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself, and the wife see that she reverence her husband.Eph. v. 22-33.

Or this:

LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.—1 Pet. iii. 1-7.

YE are not your own: for ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.1 Cor. vi.

But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be

as though they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not: and they that use this world, as not abusing it; for the fashion of this world passeth away.-1 Cor.

vii. 29-31.

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Let us pray.

GOD, the author and giver of all good things, who hast consecrated this estate of marriage, and made it holy, by thine own institution and blessing, and by the mystery whereby it sets forth the union of all faithful souls with Jesus Christ, our great Husband and Head; let thy blessing, we humbly entreat thee, descend and rest upon these thy servants, who have now been joined together. Grant unto them health, prosperity, and peace. May they dwell together in unity and love all the days of their life. And, above all things, O Lord, we pray thee to enrich their souls with thy heavenly grace, that they may obey and serve thee all their days, walking in the steps of Jesus Christ thy Son, and adorning his doc

trine; that, finally, when the joys and sorrows, and all the good and evil of this transitory world are ended, they may inherit thy promises, and be made partakers of eternal joy in the kingdom of heaven; where they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God. Amen.

O GOD, thou Almighty King, who dost invite us all, in thy Gospel, to the great marriage supper of thy Son, so incline our hearts by thy good Spirit, that we may yield obedience to thy gracious call and come to the wedding; and may we, each one, be so clothed in the garments of righteousness and true holiness, that we may be accepted of thee, and may sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all thy saints, to enjoy for ever that banquet of unutterable felicity, which thou hast prepared for them that love thee. Amen.

O LORD, whose only Son, Jesus Christ, did first display his divine power, by turning water into wine at that marriage in Cana, which he beautified with his presence; turn, O Lord, we

pray thee, the water into wine, to us thy servants; that all our temporal mercies, being sanctified to us, may become spiritual blessings, and means of life and salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

Thy will

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

B

Then may be said or sung :

LESSED is every one that feareth the
Lord; that walketh in his ways.

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

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