The godly mans choice, or, A direction how single godly persons, who intend marriage, may make choice of a fit and meet yoak-fellow being the meditations of Caleb Grantham in his single state, as a rule and guide for himself to walk by, and since his death perused and published with some profitable directions how persons should live as becometh Christians in the married state / by Henry Scudder ...

To the Christian READER.

THese directions follow∣ing, which teach how to make a wise and godly choyce of a meet yoak-fellow in marriage, were put into my hands by a neere friend of the Author, to consider whether they were fit to be made publick, and to give my judgment there∣of.

I was very much taken with the soundnesse, plainnesse, cleer∣nes, fulnes, & good composure of them, and doe judge that they may be of excellent use to put

single persons into Gods way, the only right way of entring into the honorable estate of mar∣riage, a matter of greatest con∣sequence concerning Mans weal or woe in this life, accor∣ding as it is well or ill done.

The composer of these choyce Rules or Directions, was a most ingenious and holy young man, of good learning & rare parts, he studied before hand, and pra∣ctised these Rules, which he had gathered out of the Oracles of God; and he had God going a∣long with him: for he gave him a wife according to his desire, with whom he lived but a short time, it pleasing the Lord (in fa∣vour to him to take him away from the evil to come.

The memory of the just* 1.1 is blessed: Some erect mo∣numents

in Marble, that their name may be kept in per∣petuall remembrance: And it was the manner in some places, that in their mourning for their dead friends, they held forth and shewed some of their* 1.2 most excellent works which they wrought while they lived.

I think a better monument cannot bee raised, nor better means can be used to preserve this mans name, most pretious, sweet, and ever living, and most profitable to posterity, then by making this his work publick to the Churches of God.

These are such as will alike serve to direct a single woman in her acceptance, and choyce of an husband, & to teach parents how to make choyce of husbands and wives for their children,

as well as to direct a man to make a good choyce of a wife.

I commend unto all the pra∣ctise of this our brother for their imitation, that every one study and endevour to know and to do the works and duties of the pla∣ces and conditions wherin God hath set them, that they may walk with God, and please him therein.

Amongst the secondary evi∣dences of being in state of grace, and accepted with God, I know none more clear and cer∣tain then this, that a Believer in Christ Jesus doe adde unto his faith a conscionable care to please God in the well doing the work of his particular calling and relation.

I cannot think that a man hath any more power of godlines,

then as he shall respectively en∣devour to manifest it in the particular calling & condition of life wherein God hath placed him, as well as in his generall.

For an upright man, as he will (as David did) keep himself from his iniquity, that is, the* 1.3 iniquity which through his na∣turall corruption he was most prone unto, & to which through the particular condition of his life, he was most tempted and in greatest danger, so his speciall care will be to doe the duty of his own place, to do that work which God in speciall hath given him* 1.4 to doe.

The Apostle, in divers pla∣ces, after he had delivered the doctrine of faith, he subjoyneth the doctrine of good works. First, more generally, as the ef∣fects

and evidences of a lively faith, and then he descendeth to particular duties of men and women, according to their seve∣rall ranks and relations, as of Wives to their Husbands,* 1.5 & Husbands to their Wives, of Children to Parents, and* 1.6 of Parents to their Children, of Servants to their Masters,* 1.7 and of Masters to their Ser∣vants, as the effects and eviden∣ces of true sanctity.

Where a generall good con∣versation is not endevoured, there faith is not alive, but dead, and if a man think he* 1.8 hath faith, and hath not works, he deceiveth himselfe: so if he think he hath works, because he doth many of the works of holi∣nesse and righteousnesse, which his generall calling to Christia∣anity

leadeth him unto, but yet doth not the work, which God particularly hath given him to doe, he also deceiveth himselfe, & he may fear that the holines and righteousnes which he see∣med to have, is not sound.

Whosoever shall bee desirous to make use of these Directions, to make a good entrance into marriage, will, I thinke, be as desirous to know how to live, as becommeth Christians when they are maried. Wherefore for their help I have added unto the end of these directions, some others touching Husbands and wives, their loving and living together, so as they may please God, and may live comfortably and happily in the married condition.

Both these directions I com∣mend

to all that desire infor∣mation herein, and also com∣mend you, and these to be bles∣sed to you, by God, the instituter of the ordinance of marriage, to whom be ascribed, as most due is, all honour and glory now and for ever.

Yours to serve you in the Lord, HENRY SCUDDER, Pastor of Collingburn Ducis in Wilts.

July 23. 1644.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Prov. 10.
• * 1.2

  Act. 9. 39.
• * 1.3

  Psal. 18. 23.
• * 1.4

  Joh. 17. 4.
• * 1.5

  Eph. 5. 22.
• * 1.6

  Col. 3. 18.
• * 1.7

  Tit. 2. 17.
• * 1.8

  Jam. 2. 17.