The following time-honoured words, as someone pointed out, have effectively been consigned to the dustbin of history:
God ordained marriage at the beginning of time:
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 commanded 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 man'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, unto which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. . .
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Gen 2:24.
Jesus clearly supported it:
"Have you not read that he who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,'
"and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?
"So then, they are no longer two but one flesh.Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Matt 19:4 - 6.
Marriage has stood for thousands of years. Those who have dared to redefine it have done the nation a great disservice.
The Cutting Edge Consortium and the LGBTI Anglican Coalition welcomed the change in the marriage law, which they say "has evolved over the centuries in response to changes in society and in scientific knowledge."
They continue: "We acknowledge that some (though not all) of the faith organisations to which we belong do not share our joy, and continue to express opposition in principle to such marriages. We look forward to the time, sooner rather than later, when all people of faith will feel able to welcome this development."
They may have a long wait. God's institutions, and God's word, are not so easily overturned.
No comments:
Post a Comment