[ 280 ]
which is a Part of the Ordinance it self, is performed, whereby the Espousals are recognized, and the Law satisfied.
And what is this Promise they generally speak of in such Cases? Is it not expressly so made, and do they not call it, a Promise of Marriage? Is not the Woman's Excuse or Plea delivered always in those very Words, He promised to marry me; at least these are the Promises we mean, and that I am now speaking of. As to those wicked Promises between two, so to take one another, and to live as Man and Wife without the Ceremony, it may be called an Agreement, but it is not a Promise of Marriage, and so does not relate to our present Discourse.
But now, to bring it down to the Case in hand. Suppose here are two young People, a Man and Woman, they treat of Marriage, the Woman agrees, and the Man solemnly promises to marry her: But, in the mean time, the Fellow (Hell prompting, and his own Wickedness tempting) presses this Woman to let him lie with her. His Arguments are smooth and subtle, Why should you refuse? says he: We are fairly Man and Wife already by Agreement, (and, in the Sight of God, the Intention is the same thing as the Action) there is nothing more to be done but just a few Words of the Parson, and the formality of repeating it in the Church, and that we will do too as soon as I can get the Licence down, (suppose it to be in the Country) or as soon as the Asking in the Church is over and you may take my Word, for I assure you again, I will be very honest to you, (and then perhaps he swears to it) and How can you refuse me? And then he kisses her, and continues urging andteazing
