Traditional Wedding Vows

These are known as Puritan Marriage Vows and are not often used these days although we often quote them when we want to remind squabbling spouses what they promised.  These words are profound in their simplicity and each word deserves a lot of thought. Not unlike the pledge of allegiance!

I _________, take you, ___________ to be my wedded [wife/husband], 

to have and to hold from this day forward, 

for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, 

in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 

'til death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; 

thereto I pledge my love."

"According to God's holy ordinance" is such a vital phrase. Marriage is from God and regulated by the state - not the other way around.  I believe those who most militantly desire alternate forms of marriage are driven by a desire to unseat God.  "Thus saith the Lord" is a most offensive phrase to them. Anyway, I know I would want to use these vows.