The Historical Development of the Book of Church Order

Chapter 59 : The Solemnization of Marriage

Paragraph 2 :

59-2. Christians should marry in the Lord; therefore it is fit that their marriage be solemnized by a lawful minister, that special instruction be given them, and suitable prayers offered, when they enter into this relation.

[DIGEST: .]

ANTECEDENT TEXTS:
1. PCA 1973, Adopted text, DfW, 13-2 [M1GA, Appendix, p. 160]
2. Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text, DfW, 13-2
[p. 74]
3. PCUS 1933, DfW, XIII-2 [§364]
Christians should marry in the Lord; therefore it is fit that their marriage be solemnized by a lawful minister, that special instruction be given them, and suitable prayers offered, when they enter into this relation.

1. PCUS 1925, DfW, XII-2 [§356]
2. PCUS 1894, DfW, XII-2
Christians ought to marry in the Lord; therefore it is fit that their marriage be solemnized by a lawful minister, that special instruction may be given them, and suitable prayers made, when they enter into this relation.

PCUSA 1789, DfW, XI, Section II.
Christians ought to marry in the Lord; therefore it is fit that their marriage be solemnized by a lawful minister; that special instruction may be given them, and suitable prayers made, when they enter into this relation.

The Directory for the Publick Worship of God; agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster,... [1645]
The Solemnization of Marriage, paragraph 1
[emphasis added for the relevant section]:
Although marriage be no sacrament, nor peculiar to the church of God, but common to mankind, and of publick interest in every commonwealth; yet, because such as marry are to marry in the Lord, and have special need of instruction, direction, and exhortation, from the word of God, at their entering into such a new condition, and of the blessing of God upon them therein, we judge it expedient that marriage be solemnized by a lawful minister of the word, that he may accordingly counsel them, and pray for a blessing upon them.

OTHER COMPARISONS:
RPCES, Directory for Worship, XIV-1
Although we hold that marriage is not a sacrament, and is not peculiar to the Church of Christ, but common to all mankind--yet, because the Scriptures declare that Christians ought to marry only in the Lord, and have special need of instruction, direction, and exhortation from the Word of God, in order that their entering into this new and solemn relationship may be blessed of Him, it is therefore proper that the marriage be solemnized by a duly ordained minister, who shall counsel beforehand with the parties to be married as to the nature of the union and the responsibilities involved.