Three rules for a
happy marriage
Of all relationships of life, none ought to be
regarded with such reverence, and none taken in hand so
cautiously as the relationship of husband and wife.
In no relationship is so much earthly happiness to be found, if
it be entered upon discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of
God. In none is so much misery seen to follow, if it be taken in
hand unadvisedly, lightly, wantonly, and without thought.
From no step in life does so much benefit come to the soul, if
people marry "in the Lord." From none does the soul take so much
harm, if fancy, passion, or any mere worldly motive is the only
cause which produce the union.
There is, unhappily, only too much necessity for impressing
these truths upon people. It is a mournful fact, that few steps
in life are generally taken with so much levity, self will, and
forgetfulness of God as marriage. Few are the young couples who
think of inviting Christ to their wedding!
It is a mournful fact that unhappy marriages are one great cause
of the misery and sorrow of which there is so much in the world.
People find out too late that they have made a mistake, and go
in bitterness all their days.
Happy are they, who in the matter of marriage observe
three rules:
The first is to marry only in the Lord, and after prayer for
God's approval and blessing.
The second is not to expect too much from their partners, and to
remember that marriage is, after all, the
union of two sinners, and not of two angels.
The third rule is to strive first and foremost for one another's
sanctification (holiness). The more holy married people are, the
happier they are.
J. C. Ryle, The Gospel of Mark, 1857
