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Currency Internationalization and Macro Financial Risk Control International Monetary Institute
As from 2012, the International Monetary Institution (IMI) of the Renmin University of China publishes annual reports on the internationalization of RMB. In the series of annual reports, we create and publish the Renminbi Internationalization Index (RII). Besides, we focus on one topic in each year’s report. In the 2014 report, we focus on the offshore RMB markets. We study several major international currencies’ historical developments to summarize theoretical implications between currency internationalization process and its offshore market development. We review the recent development of RMB offshore markets, identify key opportunities and challenges, and propose some suggestions to policy makers and market practitioners. We believe that the RII will continue to rise as the renminbi plays a more and more important role in international trades and financial transactions. The establishment and development of renminbi offshore markets will facilitate the internationalization process of the RMB.
International Monetary Institute of the RUC was established on December 20, 2009. The IMI is a nonprofit academic institution and think tank focusing on research on monetary finance theory, policy, and strategy.
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Peiyong Gao
Internationalization of the RMB: Establishment and Development of RMB
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Ling Zhu
An Advanced Study on the International Marketing of Chinese Brands
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Qingmin Yan, Jianhua Li
Internet Finance in China: Introduction and Practical Approaches
Ping Xie, Chuanwei Zou, Haier Liu
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Weiying Zhang
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Government Foresighted Leading: Theory and Practice of the World’s Regional Economic Development
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Chinese Outward Direct Investment I
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Chinese Outward Direct Investment II
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Internationalization of the RMB
Establishment and development of RMB offshore markets
International Monetary Institute of the RUC
First published 2016 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge
The right of International Monetary Institute of the RUC to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Names: Zhongguo ren min da xue. Guo ji huo bi yan jiu suo, issuing body.
Title: Internationalization of RMB : establishment and development of RMB offshore markets / International Monetary Institute of RUC.
Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2016. | Series: China perspectives series | Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
Identifiers: LCCN 2015041835| ISBN 9781138651708 (hardback) | ISBN 9781315624228 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Renminbi. | Foreign exchange--China. | Capital market--China. | Finance--China. | Banks and banking, International. | International finance.
LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015041835
ISBN: 978-1-138-65170-8 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-62422-8 (ebk)
Typeset in Bembo by HWA Text and Data Management, London
1.1
1.5
1.7
2.9
2.17 The nominal effective exchange rate movements of RMB
2.18 The nominal effective exchange rate movement of five economies’ currencies
2.19 RMB real effective exchange rate movements
2.20 The real effective exchange rate movement of five economies’ currencies
2.21 Daily closing price of RMB NDF 2013
3.1 The number of reports on RMB by the mainstream media around the world 86
3.2 The comparison of the number of reports on RMB by the mainstream media in different regions and nations
3.3 The comparison of reports on RMB by mainstream media in different regions excluding Europe
3.4 The number of high-frequency words associated with RMB around the world
3.5 Focuses in RMB-related reports during (2010–2013) 91
4.1 Distribution of the RMB trade in the main international offshore financial centers
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10
5.11
6.1
1.1 RMB Internationalization
1.2 Major world currency internationalization indexes
2.1 2013 product size and structure of RMB bonds in Hong Kong
2.2 Chinese stock market financing amount
2.3 Currency structure on the global FX OTC derivatives market in s4 2012 and s2 2013
2.4 U.S. dollar against RMB (Hong Kong) futures transactions
2.5 Turnovers on major inter-bank markets
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9 The trade amount of RMB to main currencies in interbank foreign exchange spot transactions market 2013
2.10 Current situation in 2012 of China’s capital account control defined by the IMF
3.1 The regional distribution of media researching on public sentiment of RMB internationalization
3.2 The number of reports on RMB by the mainstream media around the world
3.3 The change of the focuses to RMB in different regions and nations over the years
4.1 Proportion of imported raw material over total import in Japan
4.2 Proportion of trade volumes of Japan in different export regions
4.3 Definition of main variables
4.4 Share of distribution of seven main international currencies in 26 countries and regions
4.5 Descriptive summary
5.1 Amount of RMB settlement in cross-border trade
5.2 Financial activities denominated by foreign currencies in Britain and the proportion of RMB
5.3 Scale of analytic hierarchy process’ decision
6.1 A comparison of Dim Sum Bonds (DSB) and Synthetic Bonds
6.2 CNH products
6.3 CHIPS and offshore RMB settlement system
A1.1 Characteristics of partial offshore financial centers
A1.2 Tax policy comparison of different offshore financial centers
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Introduction
The Federal Reserve had declared the long-brewing exit from QE before Christmas in 2013. The recovery of the developed market economics is taking shape gradually. Nevertheless, the emerging markets suffer from economic imbalance repeatedly and face uncertainty in their future development. Nearly ten emerging economies have been defined as “vulnerable countries,” and the vulnerability reflects on high domestic inflation, decreasing economic growth, current account deficits, capital flight, and exchange rate collapse, triggering concerns that the turmoil of emerging markets would cause another global financial crisis. Despite the wait-and-see attitude and the unease toward the market, the economy and currency performance of China are basically stable, and the growth of RMB Internationalization Index (RII) has maintained a strong momentum.
The RII had ushered in the single-digit era in 2013 and reached 1.69 at the end of the year. The RII increased as much as 84 percent compared with 0.92 at the beginning of 2013. The index rose faster than that of 2012. Thrillingly, the “double drive” model—trade pricing and financial valuation—to support cross-border use of RMB has taken shape. Therefore, the driving force to internationalize RMB is further balanced.
The percentage of using RMB as pricing and settlement currency rose to 2.50 percent in the global trade of 2013, increasing by 60 percent for 3 years in a row, and it contributed to nearly half of this year’s RII. China continues to take the lead in the world’s import and export, with the total trade volume of more than 4 trillion US dollars; China strives to explore new room for growth by bilateral trade as well as regional trade cooperation and development. Moreover, China has made continuous reforms and innovations in simplifying the examination and approval procedures and lowering the costs of local currency settlement, which has greatly boosted the confidence of the market participants from both home and abroad to use and accept RMB as pricing and settlement currency in the global trade.
By the end of 2013, the portion of RMB in the global capital and financial trade had reached 2.08 percent, contributing to 40 percent of this year’s RII with a distinctly accelerated growth rate. Thereinto, the third class indicator (i.e., “RMB’s share of the global direct investment”) contiinues to skyrocket and
ranks the first in the RII indicator system with a very impressive performance of 5.28 percent. China is now the second-largest foreign direct investment (FDI) receiver and the third-largest direct investor in the world. As the related policies become clearer, the fulfillment process of cross-border RMB direct investment becomes more standardized and convenient, and the cross-border RMB financial investment tunnels are broadened and improved gradually. As a result, more and more foreign and domestic enterprises and financial institutions are willing to use and accept RMB as pricing and settlement currency in the global capital and financial trade.
Many foreign government organizations as well as enterprises and financial institutions in the international market are interested in RMB. In November 2013, the Canadian local financial sector succeeded in selling AAA rating offshore RMB bonds to the world, which were very popular among the investors, and collected 2.5 billion yuan, setting a new issuing record of nonresidential offshore RMB bonds. The subscription amount of the bonds was far beyond expectation, within which the central banks and government financial institutions covered 62 percent. Foreign government institutions started to actually hold RMB position, showing that RMB, as a reserve currency, has undergone a historic change from being rejected to being recognized in terms of official acceptance. In 2013 alone, the monetary authorities of many countries and regions, including Australia, South Africa, Belarus, Bolivia, and Taiwan, demonstrated that they had brought RMB assets into their official foreign exchange reserves.
“Growth,” “openness,” and “reform” in the real economy laid the material foundation of international society’s confidence in RMB, and a developed and improved offshore financial market solved the technical problems so that RMB can maintain international attraction. Therefore, the Internationalization of RMB: 2014 Annual Report sets its research topic as “RMB offshore market construction and development.”
The research group fulfilled the following tasks. First, after sorting out the historical experience and related documents, the research group held in-depth discussion on the internal logic that the offshore financial market boosts currency internationalization, with a focus on the significance and impacts of constructing and developing offshore markets in realizing RMB internationalization in the current stage. Second, through charrettes, field visits, and questionnaires, the group thoroughly studied the current development of RMB offshore markets in places like HK, London, and Frankfurt and intensively discussed the existing problems and future prospects. Third, the group employed methods like logical deduction and empirical study to tentatively discuss the global layout of RMB offshore financial markets. In addition, the challenges and solutions to building RMB offshore markets were elaborated from two angles: “how to successfully build RMB offshore markets” and “how to minimize the negative effects of offshore markets.”
The offshore financial market comes into being along with economic globalization and financial liberalization. The features of the offshore financial market (e.g., loose regulation, full competition, low trade cost, and high market
openness) help it develop rapidly after its appearance in the major part of today’s international financial market. The offshore financial market can offer convenience and safety when economic entities from different countries use a third-party currency in trade. A sophisticated and efficient offshore market operating mechanism plays a very important part in consolidating a currency’s international status. Though America suffers from a declining trade status, the dollar remains the number one international currency even after the U.S. subprime crisis triggered the global financial tsunami. The key reason is that the dollar has always been widely used in third-party transactions, so it takes the biggest slice in official foreign exchange reserve. To some degree, that is closely related with developed global dollar offshore markets all over the world’s major international financial centers.
Equally, the international usage of RMB can be achieved only with the construction and development of offshore markets. Fast-growing RMB offshore markets not only realize RMB’s outflow under surplus condition but also stimulate nonresidents to use and hold RMB through diversified financial products and qualified services. Hence, the offshore RMB pool is gradually expanding. Different from the U.S. dollar and other international currencies, both the appearance of RMB offshore market as well as the initiation of RMB internationalization process are ahead of the capital account convertibility. In the long run, only by capital account reform to bring about wider and deeper international usage can RMB grow into an important international financial trade currency and reserve currency. However, before the right time to open capital account, the RMB offshore market can actually function as a substitute to some degree for capital account convertibility. In other words, to construct and develop RMB offshore markets kept the risk of transnational capital flow within the finite offshore markets and boosted RMB internationalization by loosing capital control in disguised form. Obviously, the current RMB offshore market development has created a valuable time window to push forward capital account reform in a composed, orderly, and timely way. Therefore, RMB offshore markets have extra practical significance to the current RMB internationalization.
The international experience shows that the size of offshore transaction in the international financial centers determines the currency’s international status. To some sophisticated international financial centers such as London and New York, the initiative to develop RMB offshore business lies in market participants’ own choices. And this automatic process can be very fast or, on the contrary, extremely slow. As for the long-term goal, RMB offshore transaction size and the percentage it takes in the sophisticated international financial centers can be considered as important standards to test whether RMB has already become one of the major international currencies. Yet, because of the global financial tsunami, the international financial centers are undergoing major adjustments. In particular, those emerging international offshore financial centers are competing fiercely against one another and fighting for RMB offshore businesses, in fear of failing to keep a head start. It means that
it is possible for China to initiatively cultivate RMB offshore markets in some countries and regions. After a comprehensive study of all factors (i.e., trade, investments, geopolitics, cultures, institutional construction, etc.) through the analytic hierarchy process, the global location research of RMB offshore financial center finds out that the preferred locations for China to actively build offshore markets are HK of Asia, Switzerland of Europe, Costa Rica of America, and Mauritius of Africa, among which, HK has the most distinct advantage.
HK is now the biggest RMB offshore market in the world. HK RMB offshore financial center is the main platform for RMB settlement in cross-border trade. Moreover, it attracts many enterprises, institutions, governments, and monetary authorities from both home and abroad by the increasingly diversified RMB financial products and, therefore, the biggest offshore RMB capital pool is formed in HK as well. At the same time, HK offshore market gradually shows its demonstration effect. In the Asia-Pacific region, RMB offshore trade is also brisk in Singapore, Taiwan, and Macau, and other countries, including Korea, Japan, Australia, and Malaysia, have already shown their active attitude. In Europe, London, Paris, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, and Zurich raced to express their willingness to become the next RMB offshore financial center. In Africa and America, there are also many countries actively exploring the feasibility of building RMB offshore markets.
This report insists that efforts should be made to grasp the current favorable time window; to make full use of historical opportunities like domestic economic restructuring, international offshore financial center adjustments, and international market’s searching for hedging currencies; and to promote RMB internationalization by constructing RMB offshore markets. In this process, two kinds of relations need special attention.
First, in the short run, the relation between offshore markets and the real economy should be handled properly, and the international strategy that RMB offshore markets shall serve the Chinese companies and financial institutions is underlined. The offshore market’s importance in global resources allocation shall be paid attention to, the objective law to develop international financial centers respected, and the top-level design carried out under the principle of mutual benefit and reciprocity. China’s trace of trade, investment, and foreign development should be followed so that RMB offshore market distribution in every continent can be rationally mapped out. Different entering policies shall be adopted in the sophisticated international financial centers and the emerging offshore financial centers. RMB internationalization should be further promoted by developing offshore market, and RMB offshore market’s internationalization capability of serving Chinese companies and financial institutions needs improvement.
Second, in the mid–long term, the relation between onshore and offshore RMB financial markets shall be managed to gradually realize the ideal model that the offshore price follows onshore market price. When the development of offshore financial markets hits a certain level, it might have some impact on domestic monetary policies, causing monetary deflation pressure or imported
inflation. The offshore market trade complicates the interest and exchange rate determination mechanisms in the issuing countries of the international currency. So it can be deduced that as the global RMB offshore market is heading for maturation from the growth period, China’s monetary policy goals have to be shifted from quantity mode to price mode, and meanwhile challenges will be posed to anti-money-laundering and other financial regulations and even to the effectiveness of the legal system.
The Internationalization of RMB: 2014 Annual Report is the third annual report the research group has submitted. We have gradually widened our research views and dug deeper into some specific problems as well. Our point of view on RMB internationalization strategic positioning and its realization route is becoming clearer after we contact and exchange views with counterparts from academic and business circles, financial experts, and government officials from different countries in the world. In summary, there are three main points. First and foremost, RMB internationalization must be based on real economy internationalization. If the major players involved in foreign trade and investment are not homegrown transnational companies with competitiveness and influence in the international market, the domestic currency cannot offer sufficient confidence to the international community. As a result, the basis of its internationalization is too infirm to last. Second, China should take the historical chance of international financial center restructure to push forward the global layout of RMB offshore finance in an active and orderly manner. With a limited opening of capital account, the only way to maintain the liquidity of the RMB offshore market and to improve its attraction to nonresidents is to carry out the strategic thoughts of “interaction between domestic and oversea market.” Thus, we can “walk with two legs”: The first is to build RMB offshore markets, which are separated from domestic market; the second is to promote internationalization of domestic banks to extend the advantage of local currency business to the outside world. We should see that at least in the starting period of development of offshore market, it is necessary to insist that offshore financial business should serve the real economy. Developing an efficient offshore settlement system through designated clearing banks can bring up RMB internationalization level rapidly and stably. Finally, via the practices of deepening reforms and opening up of China (Shanghai) free trade area, we should actively boost the bilateral trade and financial cooperation, take the major opportunity created by silk road economic belt construction, enhance the mutual political trust, and explore new space for China to develop foreign economy. Thus, new driving force as well as enormous positive power will be given to RMB internationalization.
Chen Yulu May 2014 Beijing
1 Renminbi Internationalization Index
RMB Internationalization Index and its principles
Internationalization of RMB
The internationalization of the RMB can be defined as the process of the RMB performing the functions of an international currency, becoming a major pricing and settlement currency in trade, and becoming a financial transaction currency and an international reserve currency. In the current extremely complicated and turbulent international economic environment, for China to implement the new urbanization, maintain a steady economic growth, and maintain its core interests, RMB internationalization is undoubtedly a very important system guarantee. Currency internationalization requires some basic conditions. For example, the real economy should maintain steady development and play an important role in international trade and economy; there should be a higher level of domestic financial liberalization and international openness; and the basis of a market system and a macro-economy that is helpful for currency internationalization should be established. Although the currency has some preliminary conditions with the internationalization, to achieve the final goal, China will also face a long and arduous process. According to the development law of currency internationalization, the RMB internationalization must undergo peripheral–regionalization–global, the three stages of development, which takes at least 20 to 30 years.
There is no doubt that internationalization of the RMB is a process of combination of natural market formation and government policy guidance. The process is full of repeated gaming among various international forces, which requires China to make down-to-earth efforts in the aspects of politics, the economy, the military, and the culture, and to raise China’s comprehensive powers in order to calmly cope with the risks and challenges of the RMB internationalization.
Definition of the RMB Internationalization Index
The international community generally measures the currency internationalization level by the proportion of one currency in official foreign exchange reserves. National governments submit the currencies that are among the
top-most in their official foreign exchange reserves, in accordance with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) statistical requirements, and then the index will be published by the IMF. Since the IMF only separately censuses and publishes the currencies that are more than 1 percent of the world’s official reserves, according to which they list only the dollar, euro, yen, pound, Swiss franc, Canadian dollar, and Australian dollar, that is to say, we cannot use the internationally applied indicator, the currency proportion in official foreign exchange reserves, to measure of the renminbi internationalization level.
International Monetary Institute of RUC, proceeding from the basic functions of the international currency, consider that in the case of RMB capital account’s orderly opening, the international monetary function of RMB should be mainly reflected in the field of the real economy and focus on the function of RMB as a currency for trade settlement, direct investment, and international bond trading; in the guidance of which, we selected the appropriate variables and indicators and compiled a comprehensive multivariable synthesis index— the Renminbi Internationalization Index (RII)—to measure and reflect the actual level of RMB internationalization. By observing the value and the structure change of the RII, not only can we straightforwardly judge the degree of RMB internationalization and its main influence factors but also can grasp the influence direction and magnitude of different factors on the RMB internationalization, and we can conduct a dynamic comparison with the global usage of major currencies. This offers an efficient operational and management way for government decision-making sectors to accurately grasp this dynamic process, helping them to propitiously seize new opportunities and challenges from home and abroad during this process of internationalization and decisively adjust or formulate macroeconomic policies.
The compilation principles of the RMB Internationalization Index
First, the compilation of RII should be based on the international monetary function, and the index should be able to not only reflect the actual international application of the renminbi but also reflect the guidance direction of the renminbi internationalization and highlight the function of the renminbi as the means of the real economy’s exchange and circulations. The compilation of RII’s core purpose is to reflect objectively the present situation of the countries around the world using the renminbi, in order to provide an objective, fair, and reliable basis to the government departments’ formulating relevant decisions and private department using RMB financial products and formulating the corresponding financial strategy. The global financial crisis makes people realize the danger of the overdevelopment of virtual economy; once the money was divorced from the real economy and inflated endogenously, the stable operation of the financial system would be enormously damaged. As a result, the renminbi internationalization index must not pay too much attention to the virtual economy or derivative financial transactions function but should place emphasis on the circulation function of the real economy.
Second, consider the comparability and operability comprehensively. One of the purposes of the compilation of RII is to provide the countries around the world with the choice basis of international trade and reserve currency, which requires considering the transverse comparison and dynamic comparison between different currencies of the evaluation results in the design. Through comparison and analysis of the internationalization index of the renminbi and other major currencies, we know structurally the main factors that promote or hinder the renminbi internationalization, understand the gap between the internationalization of the renminbi and other major currency, and discover the main contradictions and problems, thus providing a convenient evaluation tool to the government’s speculating on the renminbi internationalization implementation and the effectiveness of promotion measures so that the Chinese government can timely seize the opportunity of the internationalization of the renminbi, formulate appropriate and targeted countermeasures, and effectively promote the internationalization of the renminbi. At the same time, the index system design should also fully consider the availability of data and the operability. For some special important indicators whose data cannot directly be collected, we should estimate them based on as much information as possible. The content of the chosen index should be easy to understand, there should be no ambiguity, to ensure that the compilation of RII can accurately and easily be calculated and applied.
Third, consideration must be given to both the stability and the flexibility. The index which the compilation of the RII is based on and the weight of each index is not suitable to change frequently, to ensure that the interpretation of the assessment result has a certain continuity and dynamic comparability. However, we should not rigidify the index and the weight of each index but maintain certain flexibility because at different stages, the internationalization of the renminbi has a different strategic target, and the periodic strategic targets need to be adjusted appropriately according to the change of international political and economic situation. In order to accurately and objectively reflect the process of RMB internationalization, the compilation of RII indexes and the weight of each index should be adapted to the RMB internationalization practices and China’s strategic goal, to appropriately adjust itself in different phases.
Fourth, index compilation should be transparent and simple. The index selection principle and weight determination principle of the RII compilation should be carried out under the guidance of the scientific nature and operability. At the same time, adopt a simple and intuitive calculation method to avoid the method that is over-complicated and difficult to understand. In addition, the method of index is open, so that the government and related research department’s personnel can study collaboratively on the problems of the renminbi internationalization to lay a solid foundation for the scientific development of RII.
RMB Internationalization Index Indicator system
Theoretically, a currency has three primary functions: as a unit of account, as a medium of exchange, and as a store of value. In international trade, the
pricing currency is usually the settlement currency, and one of the purposes of compiling the RMB internationalization index is to focus on reflecting the actual use of the RMB in international economic activities. Therefore, this report will merge the first two functions together. The first-class indicators of RII include the international pricing and payment function and the international reserve function, and the international pricing and payment function is reflected in two aspects of trade and finance. Therefore, in the RMB internationalization index indicator system, the functions of trade pricing, finance pricing, and official foreign exchange reserves are parallelized and their weight is one third each.
According to one of the principles used in compiling the RMB internationalization index (i.e., emphasizing the circulation and transaction functions of the RMB in the real economy), the functions of the RMB in international trade should be the most important component in evaluating its internationalization. Therefore, the proportion of RMB settlement in world trade has been selected as the specific indicator.
According to the balance of payments, capital and financial accounts comprise all transactions between residents and nonresidents, which include direct investment, international security, and international credit. The RMB internationalization indicator system covers indicators from these three aspects. Corresponding indicators have been designed based on the functions of the RMB in these three categories of transactions. The following are some additional notes about indicators of securities.
International securities include bonds and stocks. Because of the great risk of information asymmetry in international finance, the scale of the international bond market with fixed income is far larger than that of international stock, which has always been in a dominant position in the international securities market. What is more, the scales of the major national stock markets are often quoted in local currency, and there is a lack of statistics concerning nonresidents’ stock investment. Therefore, by taking financial theories and data availability into consideration, this report will use the international bonds and bills indicator of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) to reflect international securities transactions. According to the BIS classification, international bonds and bills include, first, all bonds denominated in foreign currencies issued by domestic institutions and non-domestic institutions; second, the bonds denominated in domestic currency and issued by foreign institutions in the domestic market; and third, the bonds denominated in domestic currency and issued by domestic institutions in the domestic market, which are also seen as international bonds and bills if they are targeted to non-domestic investors. Thus, the international bonds and bills indicator can reflect the degree of internationalization of a country’s currency in international securities markets very well. In order to reflect the transactions of the RMB international bonds more comprehensively and accurately, this report further divides the indicator into two indicators. One is the stock indicator, namely, the remaining sum of outstanding bonds and bills. The other is the flow indicator, namely, the issuance amount of bonds and bills. The reason for doing this is that the stock indicator can objectively reflect the
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gentleness, long-suffering, forbearing one another in love Let the time past suffice for strife, envy, contention; for biting and devouring one another. Blessed be God, that ye have not long ago been consumed one of another! From henceforth hold ye the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
10. O God, with thee no word is impossible: thou dost whatsoever pleaseth thee! O that thou wouldst cause the mantle of thy prophet, whom thou hast taken up, now to fall upon us that remain! Where is the Lord God of Elijah? Let his spirit rest upon these thy servants! Shew thou art the God that answerest by fire! Let the fire of thy love fall on every heart! And because we love thee, let us love one another with a love stronger than death. Take away from us all anger, and wrath, and bitterness; all clamour, and evilspeaking. Let thy Spirit so rest upon us, that from this hour, we may be kind to each other, tender-hearted: forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven us!
An HYMN.
SERVANT of God, well done!
Thy glorious warfare’s past,
The battle’s fought, the race is won,
And thou art crown’d at last;
Of all thy heart’s desire
Triumphantly possest,
Lodg’d by the ministerial quire
In thy Redeemer’s breast
In condescending love
Thy ceaseless prayer He heard,
And bad thee suddenly remove,
To thy complete reward:
Ready to bring the peace,
Thy beauteous feet were shod,
When mercy sign’d thy soul’s release
And caught thee up to God.
With saints inthron’d on high
Thou dost thy Lord proclaim,
And still to God ♦salvation cry,
Salvation to the Lamb!
O happy, happy soul!
In extacies of praise,
Long as eternal ages roll,
Thou seest thy Saviour’s Face
Redeem’d from earth and pain,
Ah! when shall we ascend,
And all in Jesus’ presence reign
With our translated Friend!
Come, Lord, and quickly come!
And when in Thee complete,
Receive thy longing servants home,
To triumph at thy feet!
♦ ‘savation’ replaced with ‘salvation’
ADVICE
To the People call’d METHODISTS, With regard to DRESS.
I.
1.I
AM not fond of saying the same thing over and over: especially when I have so many things to say, that the day of life (which with me is far spent) is not likely to suffice for them. But in some cases, it is needful for you that I should: and then, it is not grievous to me. And it may be best, to speak freely and fully at once, that there may be the less need of speaking on this head hereafter.
2. When we look into the bible with any attention, and then look round into the world, to see who believes and who lives according to this book: we may easily discern, that the system of practice, as well as the system of truth there delivered, is torn in pieces, and scattered abroad, like the members of Absyrtus. Every denomination of Christians retains some part either of Christian truth or practice: these hold fast one part, and those another, as their fathers did before them. What is the duty mean-time of those who desire to follow the whole word of God? Undoubtedly to gather up all these fragments, that if possible nothing be lost: with all diligence to follow all those we see about us, so far as they follow the bible: and to join
together in one scheme of truth and practice what almost all the world put asunder.
3. Many years ago I observed several parts of Christian Practice, among the people call’d Quakers. Two things I particularly remarked among them, Plainness of speech and plainness of dress. I willingly adopted both, with some restrictions, and particularly plainness of dress. The same I recommended to you, when God first called you out of the world: and after the addition of more than thirty years experience, I recommend it to you still.
4. But before I go any farther, I must intreat you, in the name of God, Be open to conviction. Whatever prejudices you have contracted from education, custom or example, divest yourselves of them, as far as possible. Be willing to receive light either from God or man: do not shut your eyes against it. Rather be glad to see more than you did before; to have the eyes of your understanding opened. Receive the truth in the love thereof, and you will have reason to bless God for ever.
II. 1. Not that I would advise you, to imitate the people called Quakers, in those little particularities of dress, which can answer no possible end, but to distinguish them from all other people. To be singular, merely for singularity’s sake, is not the part of a Christian. I do not therefore advise you, to wear a hat of such dimensions, or a coat of a particular form. Rather, in things that are absolutely indifferent, that are of no consequence at all, humility and courtesy require you to conform to the customs of your country.
2. But I advise you to imitate them, first, in the Neatness of their apparel. This is highly to be commended, and quite suitable to your Christian calling. Let all your apparel therefore be as clean as your situation in life will allow. It is certain, the poor can’t be so clean as they would, as having little change of raiment. But let even these be as clean as they can, as care and diligence can keep them. Indeed they have particular need so to be; because cleanliness is one great branch of frugality. It is likewise more conducive to health, than is
generally considered. Let the poor then especially labour to be clean, and provoke those of higher rank to jealousy.
3. I advise you to imitate them secondly, in the Plainness of their apparel. In this are implied two things; 1. That your apparel be cheap, not expensive; far cheaper than others in your circumstances wear, or than you would wear, if you knew not God: 2. That it be grave, not gay, airy, or showy; not in the point of the fashion. And these easy rules may be applied both to the materials whereof it is made, and the manner wherein it is made or put on.
4. Would you have a farther rule, with respect to both? Then take one which you may always carry in your bosom. “Do every thing herein with a single eye:” and this will direct you in every circumstance. Let a single intention to please God prescribe, both what cloathing you shall buy, and the manner wherein it shall be made, and how you shall put on and wear it. To express the same thing in other words: Let all you do in this respect, be so done, that you may offer it to God, a sacrifice acceptable thro’ Christ Jesus. So that, consequently, it may increase your reward, and brighten your crown in heaven. And so it will do, if it be agreeable to Christian humility, seriousness and charity.
5. Shall I be more particular still? Then I exhort all those who desire me to watch over their souls, Wear no gold, (whatever officers of state may do; or magistrates, as the ensign of their office) no pearls or precious stones: use no curling of hair, or costly apparel, how grave soever. I advise those who are able to receive this saying, Buy no velvets, no silks, no fine linen: no superfluities, no mere ornaments, tho’ ever so much in fashion. Wear nothing, tho’ you have it already, which is of a glaring colour, or which is in any kind gay, glittering, showy; nothing made in the very height of the fashion, nothing apt to attract the eyes of the by-standers. I do not advise women to wear rings, ear-rings, necklaces, Lace, (of whatever kind or colour) or ruffles, which by little and little may easily shoot out from one to twelve inches deep. Neither do I advise men, to wear coloured waistcoats, shining stockings, glittering or costly buckles or
buttons, either on their coats or in their sleeves, any more than gay, fashionable or expensive perukes. It is true, these are little, very little things: therefore they are not worth defending: therefore give them up, let them drop, throw them away, without another word. Else a little needle may cause much pain in your flesh, a little selfindulgence much hurt to your soul.
III. 1st. 1. For the preceding exhortation, I have the authority of God, in clear and express terms. ¹I will that women (and by parity of reason, men too) adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with broidered (curled) hair, or gold, or pearls, (one kind of precious stones, which was then most in use, put for all) or costly apparel, but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Again, ²Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning, of plating (curling) the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel. But let it be—the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. Nothing can be more express, The wearing of gold, of precious stones, and of costly apparel, together with curling of hair, is here forbidden by name: nor is there any restriction made either here or in any other scripture. Whoever therefore says, “There is no harm in these things,” may as well say, There is no harm in stealing or adultery.
¹ 1 Tim. ii. 9, 10.
² 1 Pet. iii. 3, 4.
2. There is something ♦ peculiarly observable in the manner wherein both St. Peter and St. Paul speak of these things. Let not your adorning (says St. Peter) be that outward adorning; but let it be the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. The latter clause is not added barely to fill up the sentence, but with strong and weighty reason. For there is a direct contrariety (as little as we may suspect it) between that outward and this inward adorning. And that, both with regard to their source, and with regard to their tendency. As to
their source, all that adorning springs from nature; a meek and quiet spirit from grace: the former, from conforming to our own will and the will of man, the latter from conformity to the will of God. And as to their tendency; nothing more directly tends to destroy meekness and quietness of spirit, than all that outward adorning, whereby we seek to commend ourselves, to men and not to God. For this cherishes all those passions and tempers, which overthrow the quiet of every soul wherein they dwell.
♦ ‘peculiary’ replaced with ‘peculiarly’
3. Let them adorn themselves, saith St. Paul, not with curling of hair, or with gold, pearls, or costly apparel, but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. The latter clause is here likewise added, for plain and weighty reasons. For 1. That kind of adorning cannot spring from godliness, from either the love or fear of God, from a desire of conforming to his will, or from the mind which was in Christ Jesus. 2. It no way tends to increase godliness; it is not conducive to any holy temper. But 3. It manifestly tends to destroy several of the tempers most essential to godliness. It has no friendly influence on humility; whether we aim at pleasing others or ourselves hereby. Either in one case or the other, it will rather increase pride or vanity than lowliness of heart. It does not at all minister to the seriousness which becomes a sinner born to die. It is utterly inconsistent with simplicity; no one uses it, merely to please God. Whoever acts with a single eye, does all things, to be seen and approved of God; and can no more dress, than he can pray, or give alms, to be seen of men.
♦4. “O! but one may be as humble in velvet and embroidery, as another is in sackcloth.” True: for a person may wear sackcloth, and have no humility at all. The heart may be filled with pride and vanity, whatever the raiment be. Again; women under the yoke of unbelieving parents or husbands, as well as men in office, may on several occasions be constrained, to put on gold or costly apparel. And in cases of this kind, plain experience shews, that the baleful
influence of it is suspended. So that wherever it is not our choice but our cross, it may consist with godliness, with a meek and quiet spirit, with lowliness of heart, with Christian seriousness. But it is not true, that any one can chuse this, from a single eye to please God; or consequently, without sustaining great loss, as to lowliness and every other Christian temper.
♦ Points ‘7 & 8’ replaced with ‘4 & 5’
♦5. But however this be, can you be adorned at the same time with costly apparel, and with good works? That is, in the same degree as you might have been, had you bestowed less cost on your apparel? You know this is impossible: the more you expend on the one, the less you have to expend on the other. Costliness of apparel, in every branch, is therefore immediately, directly, inevitably destructive of good works. You see a brother, for whom Christ died, ready to perish for want of needful cloathing. You would give it him gladly: but alas! It is corban, whereby he might have been profited. It is given already: not indeed for the service of God; not to the treasury of the temple: but either to please the folly of others, or to feed vanity, or the lust of the eye in yourself. Now (even suppose these were harmless tempers, yet) what an unspeakable loss is this, if it be really true, that every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labour! If there is indeed a reward in heaven, for every work of faith, for every degree of the labour of love!
2dly. 1. As to the advice subjoined, it is easy to observe, that all those smaller things are, in their degree, liable to the same objections as the greater. If they are gay, showy, pleasing to the eye, the putting them on does not spring from a single view to please God. It neither flows from, nor tends to advance a meek and quiet spirit. It does not arise from, nor any way promote, real, vital godliness.
2. And if they are in any wise costly, if they are purchased with any unnecessary expence, they cannot but in proportion to that
expence, be destructive of good works. Of consequence they are destructive of that charity, which is fed thereby: hardening our heart against the cry of the poor and needy, by inuring us to shut up our bowels of compassion toward them.
3. At least, all unnecessary expences of this kind, whether small or great, are senseless and foolish. This we may defy any man living to get over, if he allows there is another world. For there is no reward in heaven for laying out your money in ornaments or costly apparel: whereas you may have an eternal reward, for whatever you expend on earth.
4. Consider this more closely. Here are two ways proposed of laying out such a sum of money. I may lay it out in expensive apparel for myself, or in necessary clothing for my neighbour. The former will please my own eye, or that of others: the latter will please God. Now suppose there were no more harm in one than in the other, in that which pleases man, than in that which pleases God: is there as much good in it? If they are equally innocent, are they equally wise? By the one, I gratify the desire of the eye, and gain a pleasure that perishes in the using: by the other, I gain a larger share of those pleasures that are at God’s right hand for evermore. By the former I obtain the applause of man; by the latter, the praise of God. In this way, I meet with the admiration of fools: in that, I hear from the Judge of All, Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
5. Brethren, whatever ye are accounted by men, I would not have you fools in God’s account. Walk ye circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise; not in those ways which God may possibly forgive; (to put things in the most favourable light) but in those which he will certainly reward. In wickedness be ye children still; but in understanding be ye men. I want to see a visible body of people, who are a standing example of this wisdom; a pattern of doing all things, great and small, with an eye to God and eternity
IV. 1. But we may be assured, the wisdom of the world will find out abundance of objections to this. Accordingly it is objected, first,
“If God has given us plentiful fortunes, if we are placed in the higher ranks of life, we must act suitably to our fortune. We ought then to dress according to our rank, that is, in gold and costly apparel.” Not to insist, that none of you are of this rank, I answer, Where is this written? Our Saviour once occasionally said, Behold, they who wear gorgeous (splendid) apparel, are in king’s courts: but he does not say, they ought to be even there: he neither enjoins, nor countenances it. And where is this either enjoined or allowed, by him or any of his apostles? Bring me plain, scriptural proof for your assertion, or I cannot allow it.
2. “But did not God give express command by Moses, that some even among his chosen people should be adorned in the most exquisite manner, with gold and precious stones and costly array?” Indeed he did: he expressly commanded this, with regard to Aaron, and his successors in the high-priesthood. But to this I answer, first, this direction which God gave, with regard to the Jewish high-priest, can certainly affect no person in England, unless the Archbishop of Canterbury. And I apprehend, he does not plead the precedent. Secondly, The Jews and we are under different dispensations. The glory of the whole Mosaic dispensation, was chiefly visible and external: whereas the glory of the Christian dispensation, is of an invisible and spiritual nature.
3. “But what then are gold and precious stones for? Why have they a place in the creation?” What if I say, I cannot tell? There are abundance of things in the creation, which I do not know the use of. What are crocodiles, lions, tigers, scorpions for? Why have so many poisons a place in the creation? Some of them are for medicine: but whatever they are for, in whatever manner they may be useful, they are certainly not to be used in such a manner as God has expressly forbidden.
4. “But if they were not thus adorned, Kings and Generals would be despised by their subjects and soldiers.” Supposing they would, that is nothing to you; for you are neither Kings nor Generals. But it is absolutely certain, they would not, if they were not despised on
other accounts. If they are valiant and wise, they will never be despised, for the plainness of their dress. Was ever General or King more esteemed or beloved by his subjects and soldiers than King Charles of Sweden? And ’tis sure, he wore no gold or costly apparel, not so much as a common officer. But we need not go so many years back. Who is the Prince that is now honoured and beloved both by his subjects and soldiers, far beyond any other King or General in Europe? There is no need to repeat his name. But does he gain this honour and love, by the costliness of his apparel? So far from it, that he rarely uses any other dress, than the uniform of his own guards.
5. “But if all men were to dress like him, how would tradesmen live?” I answer, 1. God certainly considered this, or ever he gave these commands. And he would never have given them, had he not seen, that if they were universally observed, men in general would live better than they otherwise could: better in this world, as well as that to come. But, 2. There is no danger at all, that they should be universally observed. Only a little flock in any civilized nation will observe them, till the knowledge of God covers the earth. 3. If those who do observe them, employ the money they thus save, in the most excellent manner, then a part of what before only served to fat a few rich tradesmen for hell, will suffice to feed and clothe and employ many poor, that seek the kingdom of heaven. 4. And how will those tradesmen themselves live? They will live like men, by honest labour, most of whom before lived like swine, wallowing in all gluttony and sensuality. But, 5. This is all mere trifling. It is only a copy of your countenance. For it is not this, it is not a regard to trade, or the good of the nation, that makes you disobey God. No: it is pride, vanity, or some other sinful temper, which is the real cause of these sinful actions.
6. “But we cannot carry on our own trade, without dressing like other people.” If you mean only, conforming to those customs of your country, that are neither gay, nor costly, why should you not “dress like other people?” I really think you should. Let an Englishman dress like other Englishmen; not like a Turk or a Tartar. Let an English
woman dress like other English women; not like a French woman or a German. But if you mean “conformity to them in what God has forbidden,” the answer is ready at hand. If you can’t carry on your trade without breaking God’s command, you must not carry it on. But I doubt the fact: I know no trade which may not be carried on by one who uses plain and modest apparel. I fear, therefore, this too is but a copy of your countenance: you love these things, and therefore think them necessary. Your heart carries away your judgment: if you were not fond of them, you would never dream of their necessity.
7. In one single case these things may be necessary, that is, unavoidable, namely, that of women who are under the yoke of selfwilled, unreasonable husbands or parents. Such may be constrained to do in some degree, what otherwise they would not. And they are blameless herein, if 1. They use all possible means, arguments, intreaties, to be excused from it; and when they cannot prevail, 2. Do it just so far as they are constrained, and no farther.
V. 1. And now, brethren, what remains, but that I beseech you who are not under the yoke, who are, under God, the directors of your own actions, to set prejudice, obstinacy, fashion aside; and yield to scripture, to reason, to truth. Suppose, as some affirm, you acted on no higher motive than to please me herein, I know not that you would have need to be ashamed; even this you might avow in the face of the sun. You owe something to me: perhaps it is not my fault, if ye owe not your own souls also. If then you did an indifferent thing, only on this principle, not to give me any uneasiness, but to oblige, to comfort me in my labour, would you do much amiss? How much more may you be excused in doing what I advise, when truth, reason and scripture advise the same? When the thing in question is not an indifferent thing, but clearly determined by God himself?
2. Some years ago, when I first landed at Savannah in Georgia, a gentlewoman told me, “I assure you, Sir, you will see as well-dressed a congregation on Sunday, as most you have seen in London.” I did so: and soon after I took occasion to expound those scriptures which relate to dress, and to press them freely upon my audience, in a
plain and close application. All the time that I afterward ministered at Savannah, I saw neither gold in the church, nor costly apparel. But the congregation in general was almost constantly cloathed in plain, clean linen or woollen.
3. And why should not my advice, grounded on scripture and reason, weigh with you as much as with them? I will tell you why. 1. You are surrounded with saints of the world, persons fashionably, reputably religious. And these are constant opposers of all, who would go farther in religion than themselves. These are continually warning you against running into extremes, and striving to beguile you from the simplicity of the gospel. 2. You have near you still more dangerous enemies than these, Antinomians, whether German or English; who when any Christian practise is enforced, come in with the cookoo’s note, “The law, the law;” and while they themselves glory in their shame, make you ashamed of what should be your glory. 3. You have suffered by false teachers of our own, who undermined the doctrine you had received: negatively, in publicly, by not insisting upon it, by not exhorting you to dress as persons professing godliness: (and, not to speak for a Christian duty, is in effect to speak against it:) and positively in private, either by jesting upon your exactness in observing the scripture-rule, or by insinuations, which if you did not mind them then, yet would afterward weaken your soul. 4. You have been, and are at this day in perils among false brethren: I mean, not only those of other congregations, who count strictness all one with bondage: but many of our own; in particular those, who were once clearly convinced of the truth: but they have sinned away that conviction themselves, and now endeavour to harden others against it: at least, by example; by returning again to the folly, from which they were once clean escaped. But what is the example of all mankind, when it runs counter to scripture and reason? I have warned you a thousand times, not to regard any example, which contradicts reason or scripture. If it ever should be (pray, that it may not be; but if it ever should) that I or my brother, my wife, or his, or all of us together, should set an example contrary to scripture and reason: I intreat you, regard it not at all: still let scripture and reason prevail.
4. *You who have passed the morning, perhaps the noon of life, who find the shadows of the evening approach, set a better example to those that are to come, to the now-rising generation. With you the day of life is far spent; the night of death is at hand. You have no time to lose: see that you redeem every moment that remains. Remove every thing out of the way, be it ever so small (tho’ indeed gay or costly apparel is not so) that might any ways obstruct your lowliness and meekness, your seriousness of spirit, your single intention to glorify God, in all your thoughts and words and actions. Let no needless expence hinder your being in the highest degree you ♦possibly can, rich in good works: ready to distribute, willing to communicate, till you are cloathed with glory and immortality.
♦ ‘possible’ replaced with ‘possibly’
*Our carcases will soon fall into the dust: then let the survivors adorn them with flowers. Mean time let us regard those ornaments only, that will accompany us into eternity.
5. *You that are in the morning of your days, either your form is agreeable, or it is not. If it is not, do not make your person remarkable: rather let it lie hid in common apparel. On every account, it is your wisdom, to recommend yourself to the eye of the mind: but especially to the eye of God, who reads the secrets of your hearts, and in whose sight the incorruptible ornaments alone are of great price. But if you would recommend yourself by dress, is any thing comparable to plain neatness? What kind of persons are those, to whom you could be recommended by gay or costly apparel? None that are any way likely to make you happy: this pleases only the silliest and worst of men. At most, it gratifies only the silliest and worst principle in those who are of a nobler character
6. *To you whom God has intrusted with a more pleasing form, those ornaments are quite needless,
“The adorning thee with so much art
Is but a barbarous skill:
’Tis like the poisoning of a dart,
Too apt before to kill.”
That is, to express ourselves in plain English, without any figure of poetry, it only tends to drag them faster into death everlasting, who were going fast enough before, by additional provocations to lust, or at least, inordinate affection. Did you actually design to raise either of these, in those who looked upon you? What, while you and they were in the more immediate presence of God? What profaneness and inhumanity mixt together! But if you designed it not, did you not foresee it? You might have done so, without any extraordinary sagacity. “Nay, I did not care or think about it.” And do you say this by way of excuse? You scatter abroad arrows, firebrands and death; and do not care or think about it!
7. *O let us all walk more charitably and more wisely for the time to come! Let us all cast aside from this very hour, whatever does not become men and women professing godliness: whatever does not spring from the love and fear of God, and minister thereto. Let our seriousness shine before men, not our dress: let all who see us know that we are not of this world. Let our adorning be that which fadeth not away, even righteousness and true holiness. If ye regard not weakening my hands and grieving my spirit, yet grieve not the Holy Spirit of God. Do you ask, “But what shall I do with the gay or costly apparel, and with the ornaments I have already? Must I suffer them to be lost? Ought I not to wear them now I have them?” I answer, There is no loss like that of using them: wearing them is the greatest loss of all. But what then shalt thou do with them? Burn them rather than wear them; throw them into the depth of the sea. Or if thou canst with a clear conscience, sell them, and give the money to them that want. But buy no more at the peril of thy soul. Now be a faithful steward. After providing for those of thine own houshold things needful for life and godliness, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, relieve the sick, the prisoner, the stranger, with all that thou hast. Then shall God clothe thee with glory and honour, in the
presence of men and angels: and thou shalt shine as the brightness of the firmament, yea, as the stars for ever and ever.
THE DUTIES OF HUSBANDS and WIVES.
IAM persuaded, it is not possible for me to write any thing so full, so strong, and so clear on this subject, as has been written near an hundred and fifty years ago, by a person of equal sense and piety. I shall therefore only abridge what he has written on the head, with some few alterations and additions. I beseech you all, who are more immediately concerned, to read it with the calmest attention, and with earnest prayer, that what is here written, may be transcribed into your hearts and lives.
CHAP. I.
The first duty of the Married, Chastity.
1.T
HIS duty is so manifest, that no person whatever can pretend ignorance of it. The law of God, the law of nature, and the laws of all well ordered societies enjoin it. The violation of this unties the marriage-knot, and dissolves the marriage-covenant. For our Lord
himself, who utterly disallows of other divorces, yet allows divorce in case of adultery. “But may the person wronged admit the wrongdoer again, after the offence is known?” I answer, they may, provided the offender give full, satisfactory proof of amendment. We read not any command to the contrary. But if the offender persist in sin, then the innocent person, having full proof thereof, is bound to withdraw from the sinner.
2. Let any who find strong temptations to this sin, 1. Constantly and conscientiously perform private duties. The blessing of God hereon will make him conqueror, over what before seemed most unconquerable. 2. Be diligent in your calling, that you may have no leisure for inflaming imaginations. It is certain, an idle person, if occasion and constitution serve, will sooner or later prove adulterous. But diligence joined with hearty prayer, will preserve a man pure and undefiled. 3. Be exactly temperate. It is easy to put out the fiercest fire, by withdrawing the fewel. If therefore you would be chaste in your marriage, be sparing in your food. 4. Carefully shun every temptation and all opportunities of sin: especially, shun as a rock the company of any person apt to tempt, or to be tempted; and consider, that the coldest water will be hot, if it be set near the fire.
3. These directions are such as agree to all, married or unmarried. There remains another help peculiar to the former, the due use of marriage. The ordinances of God will answer their end, if our abuse of them do not hinder. Now God has ordained marriage for this end, among others, to prevent fornication. Wherefore let it be used in the manner it ought, and it will surely answer its end. And in this respect, the wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband. Neither hath the husband power over his own body, but the wife. It is not in the choice of either, whether to live with the other, or not. But they are bound in conscience so to do, and cannot refuse it without grievous sin. There may indeed be a separation for a time, if needful affairs require. But it is not lawful for either the man or the woman to leave the other totally or finally.
4. In this their society two things are to be observed, that it be sanctified and temperate. First, it must be sanctified, that is, made lawful and holy to them by the word of God and prayer. The word of God clearly shews the lawfulness of it. For God has said expresly, Marriage is honourable among all men, and the bed undefiled. But let it also be sanctified or made holy by prayer. Solemnly pray for the blessing of God upon his ordinance, not forgetting to return him particular thanks for his infinite goodness herein. That this is requisite none can deny, that will not deny the authority of St. Paul. For he affirms, that marriage, as well as meat and drink, is sanctified by prayer and thanksgiving. As therefore it is a brutish profaneness, for any man to sit down to his table, as an horse to the manger, without asking the blessing of God first, and to return from it, as a fox from his prey, without praising him that gave him food and appetite; so it is great licentiousness for married persons to come together, as it were brute beasts, without either prayer or thanksgiving. The hope of posterity, the stay of old age, the support of every man’s house, the supply of the church and common-wealth, hang upon the fruit of marriage. Is it then more than needs, to ask the blessing of God in a thing of so great importance? Surely we should bring his curse upon us, were we either to forget it as needless, or despise it as ridiculous. Yea, whereas marriage is instituted in part for the subduing inordinate desires, it cannot answer that end, without God’s blessing; which how can we expect, if we scorn to ask it? Certainly, the men that use marriage in a brutish manner, not seeing God therein, nor sanctifying it to themselves by these means, will thereby become more and more brutish. Wherefore let no man scoff at a duty plainly commanded by God: but let us learn to know the full efficacy of prayer, and to reap the fruit of it in all things.
5. It must, secondly, Be temperate. We are always to remember, God ordained marriage chiefly for the increase of mankind, and not to kindle lustful desires, but to quench them. I confess, we should take great heed of laying snares upon mens consciences, and must be very careful not to bind them, where God has not bound them. But this is a sure rule: the quantity of every thing, must be suited to the end. This being considered, the married are not to provoke
desires, but allay them, when they provoke themselves. They must not strive to inflame the passions when they are cool, but when they are moved of themselves, to assuage them. In a word, marriage should be used as sparingly, as consists with the need of the persons married. A temperate use promotes purity: excess inflames lust, and inclines to adultery. Wherefore the foregoing rule should be carefully observed, that the married come no oftener together, than is needful to extinguish natural desires, when they would otherwise become troublesome to them. Now the sanctified use of marriage is also an help to the temperate use of it. But they seldom fail to exceed, who do not take care to make all things holy by prayer and thanksgiving.
6. Perhaps one might add, it should ever be accompanied with chearfulness and willingness. They must neither deny themselves to each other, nor behave with grudging and forwardness; but rather with readiness and all demonstrations of sincere affection. The scripture plainly testifies this, by the very term benevolence or goodwill. For no man can call that good-will, which is done churlishly and discontentedly: a behaviour that naturally tends to alienate the heart, and create suspicions of estrangement of affection.
CHAP. II.
Of the Love of married Persons.
HE marriage-covenant binds all that enter into it, to several other duties, as well as to chastity: but not under the same forfeiture, failing in these breaks God’s command, but does not break the bond of matrimony. No ill-behaviour dissolves this, while we are not wronged as to the marriage-bed. Thou art still an husband or a wife,
though thy yoke-fellow is wanting in many duties. Be careful therefore to do thy own part still, however slenderly thou art requited.
2. The duties common to husbands and wives, partly respect themselves, and partly their families. All the former sort may be reduced to two heads, love and the fruits of love. First, Love: their hearts must be united as well as their hands: else their union will be more troublesome than can be imagined. Love is the life and soul of marriage, without which it differs from itself as a carcase from a living body. This makes all things easy, whereas the absence of it makes all things hard. Love seasons and sweetens every state; love composes all controversies. In whomsoever love prevails, to them only marriage is what it should be, a pleasing combination of two persons into one home, one purse; one heart and one flesh. And this love must have two especial properties, first, It must be spiritual; secondly, matrimonial. It must be spiritual in its ground, and in its working. Its chief ground must be the commandment of God. A Christian must love his wife, not only because she is beautiful or loving, but chiefly because God enjoins it. The wife must love her husband, not only because he is handsome, kind or well-behaved, but because God the sovereign of all souls, has commanded women to be lovers of their own husbands. Not the face, portion or good qualities of the married, must be the chief cause of their loving each other, but the will of God; and that affection which stands on this stable foundation will be lasting: while that which stands on any other consideration, will be subject to change every hour. For how can the building stand fast, if the foundation sink away? Either some storm of contention will overthrow that love, or it will fall down of itself thro’ age. Or else it will degenerate into jealousy, the devouring cankerworm, that eats up the hearts of married persons, and consumes or spoils the sweet fruit they may reap. But he that loves his wife, because she is his wife, and God commands him to love her as such, will love her, so long as she is his wife, whatever she prove beside. Thou lovest thy wife, because she is fair, good-humoured, courteous: but what if all these should fail? Thou lovest thy husband, because he is handsome, sensible, kind: but where will thy love be, if these things should alter? You see there is no firmness in that love,
