Every time there is a royal wedding, the one story newspapers all love is the one in which they announce the that the bride will vow to obey her husband or not. What form of wedding vow one uses is hardly of interest to Catholics who never get a choice in the matter. As far as I have ever known the Catholic wedding service has one form of words and one only. The lucky Anglicans have a wide choice. But, never mind the vows, what about the preamble. Here is the 1662 Book of Common Prayer:
DEARLY beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained. First, It was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name. Secondly, It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body. Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Most people will adore this for the grandeur of the language. I fully acknowledge that, but my chief reason for approving it is its excellent theology. Cranmer may have been a Zwinglian, and he may have denied that marriage was a sacrament, but I think he understands what marriage is all about, because he understands human nature.
