Of Man's Chief End
ever David spake, only they were written not long before his death, when he was come near heaven.
So was what is now put into the reader's hand, written by Mr. Flavel not long before his translation to the world of souls, where the spirits of just men are made perfect.
There was a more than ordinary presence of God with him to his last; and in his last day, not the last sermon that he preached (which was
June 21, 1691.) he did more than once surprize his hearers with an intimation, that that might be the last time he should speak to them in the name of the Lord. And was not then the secret of the Lord with him?
Dartmouth will know, and Devonshire will know, that there has been a prophet among them.
And now my soul bleeds to look on the dear flock of God, which are as sheep without a shepherd. The Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, have compassion on them, and give them a shepherd like to his blessed servant Flavel, who did for many years feed them with knowledge, and with understanding.
Dartmouth, March 21st, 1692.
INCREASE MATHER
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 is 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 own image, after our likeness: and let him have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, 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 works 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 a man glorify God, seeing he is perfectly glorious in himself?
A. Man cannot glorify God by adding any new degree of glory to him; Job 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; Matth. 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify 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 John 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 glorify 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.
Mortify 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 glorify God, that takes him not for his God; and none takes him for his God, that takes him not for his supreme good; and both these being essentially included in this notion of the chief end, are therefore justly put together.