Why the 1662 Prayer Book says marriage helps 'avoid fornication'
In short
The marriage service in the Book of Common Prayer gives three reasons for matrimony: the procreation of children, a remedy against sin 'to avoid fornication' for those lacking the gift of continency, and mutual help and comfort. The wording already appears in the 1559 book and survives in the 1662 text, still published by the Church of England.
What the full article will cover
- What does the 1662 marriage service actually say?
- What are the three 'causes' for which matrimony was ordained?
- What did 'continency' mean to Tudor and Stuart readers?
- Where did the wording come from?
- How do modern Anglican wedding services phrase it?
- Is the 1662 service still used today?
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 1662 wedding service still used in England?
- Does the Prayer Book call sex outside marriage a sin?
- What does 'the gift of continency' mean?
- Do couples still hear the word 'fornication' at weddings?
Sources
- churchofengland.org — https://www.churchofengland.org/node/391/printable/print
- internetshakespeare.uvic.ca — https://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/doc/matrimony_M/index.html
- greatstbarts.com — https://greatstbarts.com/1662-wedding
General information, not legal or religious advice.