Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Question 1
1 Question. Of Man's Chief End.
WHat is the Chief End of Man?
A. Man's Chief End is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.
Q. 1. Seeing a Chief supposeth an inferior End; What is that inferior End for which man was made?
A. It was prudently, soberly, and mercifully, to govern, use, and dispose of other Creatures in the Earth, Sea, and Air, over which God gave man the Dominion; Gen. 1.26. And God said, Let us make man in our Image, after our likeness: and let them have domonion over the Fish of the Sea, and over the Fowl of the Air, and over the Cattel, and over all the Earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the Earth. So Psal. 8.6. Thou madest him to have dominion over the work… of thy hands, thou hast put all things under his feet.
Q. 2. What then is to be thought of those men, who being wholly intent upon inferior things, forget and neglect their principal End?
A. They are dead whilst they live, 1 Tim. 5.6. But she that liveth in pleasure, is dead whilst she liveth. They have their Portion in this Life, Psal. 17.14. From men of the world which have their Portion in this Life, and their end is destruction; Phil. 3.19. Whose end is destruction.
Q. 3. How can man glorifie God, seeing he is perfectly glorious in himself?
A. Man cannot glorifie God by adding any new degree of glory to him. Iob. 35.7. If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? but by manifesting his glory with the Lips; Psal. 50.23. Whoso offereth praise, glorifieth me; or with the life, Mat. 5.16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven.
Q. 4. Wherein consists the enjoyment of God?
A. It consists, first, In the facial vision of him in Heaven. Secondly, In full conformity to him. 1 Ioh. 3.2. But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Thirdly, In that full satisfaction which results from both the former, Psal. 17.15. I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness.
Q 5. Can none enjoy him in Heaven, who do not glorifie him on Earth?
A. No adult person can Scripturally expect happiness in Heaven, without holiness on Earth. Heb. 12.14. And holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Rom. 8.30. Whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Q. 6. How comes the glory and enjoyment of God our Chief End?
A. He is our Master, and rightful Owner, and Benefactor; we receive our Being and Preservation from him; Of him, and through him, and therefore to him be all Things; Rom. 11.36.
Q. 7. Do all men make God their chief End?
A. No, they do not; some make their sensual Pleasure their chief End. Phil. 3.19. Whose God is their Belly; and some the World, Col. 3.5. Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the Earth, and Covetousness, which is Idolatry.
Q. 8. What are the Signs of a man's making himself his chief End?
A. Those make themselves their chief End, who ascribe the glory of what they have, or do, to themselves, and not to God, Dan. 4.30. The King spake and said, Is not this great Babylon which I have built? Isa. 10.18. For he saith, By the strength of my hand have I done it; and by my wisdom, for I am prudent; therefore they sacrifice to their own net, and burn Incense unto their Drag. Hab. 1.16.
Q. 9. Why are the glorifying and enjoying of God put together, as making up our chief End?
A. Because no man can glorifie God, that takes him not for his God; and none takes him for his God, that takes him not for his Supream Good; and both these being essentially included in this Notion of the chief End, are therefore justly put together.
Q. 10. What is the first Truth inferr'd from hence?
A. That God hath dignified Man above all other Creatures on Earth, in giving him a capacity of glorifying God here, and of enjoying him hereafter.
Q. 11. What is the second truth inferr'd hence?
A. That the Soul of man is not annihilated by Death, but advanced by it. Phil. 1.21. To die is gain. V. 23. Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better.
Q. 12. What is the third truth inferr'd hence?
A. That it is the duty and wisdom of every Christian to renounce, deny, and forsake all inferior Interests and Enjoyments when they come in competition with the glory of God, and our enjoyment of him. Luke 14.33. So likewise whosoever he be of you, that forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my Disciple.
Q. 13. What is the fourth Inferrence hence?
A. That we are to abhor and renounce all those Doctrines and Practices that debase the glory of God, and exalt and magnifie the Creature.