ROC. 501
She very ancient ceremony occurs, of placing a ring on the finger of the woman. The object of this is stated in the prayer following, to be " a token and pledge" of the vow and covenant just made by the parties. Ritualists have supposed that the ring was also a pledge or earnest of that honourable maintenance and participation in <' worldly goods," which are promised in that part of the office where the ceremony takes place. It has also been considered as a sign or seal of admittance of the wife to " the nearest friendship and highest trust" which it was in the husband's power to give. It is probable that there is weight in all these opinions, though the former seems to be the prominent one in the view of the Church. Various analogies and figurative applications have sprung from the ceremony of the ring, some of which are thus stated by Dean Comber and Wheatly. The matter of which this ring is made, is gold, to signify how noble and durable our affection is: the form is round, to imply that our respect shall never have an end: the place of it is on the fourth finger of the left hand, where the ancients thought was a vein which came directly from the heart, and where it may be always in view; and being a fin-get least used, where it may be least subject to be worn opt. But the main end is to be a visible and lasting token and remembrance of this covenant, which must never be for* gotten; and if in ordinary bargains we have some lasting thing delivered as an earnest or pledge and memorial, much more is it needful here.: and to scruple a thing so prudent and well designed, so anciently and universally wsed, does not deserve our serious consideration. Indeed, although the use of the ring in marriage used to be regarded as a remnant of Popery by ultra-protestants—it seems now to be universally tolerated,
RITE. A solemn act of religion.
RITUAL. A book or manual in which is given the order aud forms to be observed in the celebration of Divine service, the administration of the Sacraments, and, in general, all matters connected with external order, in the performance of sacred officesi
ROCHET. A linen garment -worn by Bishops under the chimere. It was their ordinary garment m public during the middle ages. The word rochet, however, is