CXVIII.

Society betwixt Man and Wife. Societas Conjugalis.

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_Marriage_ was appointed by God in Paradise, for mutual _help_, and the _Propagation_ of mankind. _Matrimonium_ institutum est à Deo in Paradiso, ad mutuum _adjutorium_, & _propagationem_ generis humani.

_A young man_ (_a single man_) being to be married, should be furnished either with _Wealth_, or a _Trade_ and _Science_, _Vir Juvenis_ (_Cœlebs_) conjugium initurus, instructus sit aut _Opibus_, aut _Arte_ & _Scientiâ_, which may serve for getting a living; that he may be able to maintain a _Family_. quæ sit de pane lucrando; ut possit sustentare _Familiam_.

Then he chooseth himself a _Maid_ that is _Marriageable_, (or a _Widow_) whom he loveth; Deinde eligit sibi _Virginem Nubilem_, (aut _Viduam_) quam adamat; nevertheless a greater Regard is to be had of _Virtue_, and _Honesty_, than of _Beauty_ or _Portion_. ubi tamen major ratio habenda _Virtutis_ & _Honestatis_, quàm _Formæ_ aut _Dotis_.

Afterwards, he doth not betroth her to himself closely, but entreateth for her as a _Woer_, Posthæc, non clam despondet sibi eam, sed ambit, ut _Procus_, first to the _Father_, 1. and then the _Mother_, 2. or the _Guardians_, or _Kinsfolks_, by such _as help to make the match_, 3. apud _Patrem_, 1. & _Matrem_, 2. vel apud _Tutores_, & _Cognatos_, per _Pronubos_, 3.

When she is espous’d to him, he becometh the _Bridegroom_, 4. and she the _Bride_, 5. Eâ sibi desponsâ, fit _Sponsus_, 4. & ipsa _Sponsa_, 5. and the _Contract_ is made. and an _Instrument_ of _Dowry_ 6. is written. fiuntque _Sponsalia_, & scribitur _Instrumentum_ _Dotale_, 6.

At the last the _Wedding_ is made, where they are joined together by the _Priest_, 7. Tandem fiunt _Nuptiæ_ ubi copulantur à _Sacerdote_, 7. giving their _Hands_, 8. one to another. and _Wedding-rings_, 9. then they feast with the witnesses that are invited. datis _Manibus_, 8. ultrò citroque, & _Annulis Nuptialibus_, 9. tum epulantur cum invitatis testibus.

After this they are called _Husband_ and _Wife_; when she is dead he becometh a _Widower_. Abhinc dicuntur _Maritus_ & _Uxor_; hâc mortuâ ille fit _Viduus_.