A Directory for Single Persons in Their Choice of a Suitable Mate (Puritan Writings Series)

The work the reader holds in their hands is a work highly recommended by weighty men, such as Joseph Caryl, the writer of the titanic commentary on Job, providing an "imprimatur" to this work; and theologians of the Westminster Assembly such as Jeremiah Whitaker, and Henry Scudder himself, recommending the first part of this work written by that young man named Caleb Grantham.

Furthermore, for those who love the Puritans, have you ever wondered what advice the Puritans might have given for such a peculiar topic as finding a partner? Well, here we have a unique work of its kind. The wisdom provided in this writing will undoubtedly be of great edification for single brothers who wish to know how to proceed in this matter of finding a wife in a biblical way.

Likewise, it is useful for single sisters so that they can see and perceive how a man who wishes to court them should conduct himself towards them, and also in considering many of these counsels for their own practice.

And, moreover, it will be of great benefit to parents, so that they can teach and advise their children on how they should proceed in this matter of such great importance in a way that pleases the Lord.

Scudder says: "If they marry according to the instructions given above by that holy young man (now with the Lord) that he took from the Word of God, and live in a married state according to these present instructions taken from the same Holy Scriptures, they will live comfortably with each other and be a blessing to each other, and add much to each other's happiness here in this life."

Undoubtedly, not enough can be said about the benefit of this writing for our current era. We live in days when many brothers proceed in this matter guided by what the world teaches, even unconsciously. And because of the latter, we should not be surprised by the large number of bad choices made by many brothers, only to see them later unhappy and distressed, either due to the breaking of a relationship between brothers in the faith, or perhaps due to falling into gross sins, or perhaps by being a stumbling block to others by their attitudes, all for following the current of this world. But even worse is the levity of parents in this matter, who, like the former, are governed by what the world thinks about it, providing insubstantial and unbiblical advice, and adapting to the ungodly customs of society. And in this way, they lead their children like sheep to the slaughter.

It is our prayer that this small work that we send to the world may bear fruit for the glory of the Lord, so that many may entrust this matter to Him and seek Him for wisdom and counsel in this decision and choice of great importance, on which, as many have said, much of our unhappiness or our comfort on earth depends, our curse or our blessing depends.

To the Lord alone be the glory.