CATECHISM · 1688 AD · REFORMED (PRESBYTERIAN)
An Exposition of the Assemblies Catechism
WRITTEN
1688 AD
TRADITION
Reformed (Presbyterian)
QUESTIONS
1,369
QUOTED IN THE BEREAN TEXT
1,003
1,003 quotations in this document are given in the Berean Standard Bible. 477 more are left in the document's own older wording, each marked where it stands.
CONTENTS
QUESTION 1
WHAT is the chief end of man?
Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
QUESTION 1
Seeing a chief supposes an inferior end; what is that inferior end for which man was made?
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; Genesis 1:26. Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” So Psalm 8:6. You made him to have dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.
Scripture quoted here is given in the Berean Standard Bible: Genesis 1:26.
QUESTION 2
What then is to be thought of those men, who being wholly intent upon inferior things, forget and neglect their principal end?
They are dead while they live; 1 Timothy 5:6. But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive. lives: They have their portion in this life; Psalm 17:14. From men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and their end is destruction, Philippians 3:19. Their end is destruction.
Scripture quoted here is given in the Berean Standard Bible: 1 Timothy 5:6; Philippians 3:19.
QUESTION 3
How can a man glorify God, seeing he is perfectly glorious in himself?
Man cannot glorify God by adding any new degree of glory to him; Job 35:7. If you be righteous, what give you him, but by manifesting his glory with the lips? Psalm 50:23. Whoever offers praise, glorifies me; or with the life; Matthew 5:16. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Scripture quoted here is given in the Berean Standard Bible: Matthew 5:16.
QUESTION 4
Wherein consists the enjoyment of God?
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; Psalm 17:15. I shall be satisfied when I awake with your likeness.
QUESTION 5
Can none enjoy him in Heaven, who do not glorify him on earth?
No adult person can scripturally expect happiness in Heaven without holiness on earth; Hebrews 12:14. And holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Romans 8:30. Whom he justified, them he also glorified.
QUESTION 6
How comes the glory and enjoyment of God our chief end?
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, Romans 11:36.
QUESTION 7
Do all men make God their chief end?
No, they do not; some make their sensual pleasure their chief end: Philippians 3:19. Whose God is their belly: and some the world, Colossians 3:5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
QUESTION 8
What are the signs of a man's making himself his chief end?
Those make themselves their chief end, who ascribe the glory of what they have, or do, to themselves, and not to God; Daniel 4:30. The king spoke, and said, Is not this great Babylon which I have built? Isaiah 10:18. For he says, 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, Habakkuk 1:16.
QUESTION 9
Why are the glorifying and enjoying of God put together, as making up our chief end?
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.
QUESTION 10
What is the first truth inferred hence?
That God has dignified man above all other creatures on earth, in giving him a capacity of glorifying God here, and of enjoying him hereafter.
QUESTION 11
What is the second truth inferred hence?
That the soul of man is not annihilated by death, but advanced by it; Philippians 1:21. To die is gain, verse 23. Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better.
QUESTION 12
What is the third truth inferred hence?
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 whoever he be of you, that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple.
QUESTION 13
What is the fourth inference hence?
That we are to abhor and renounce all those doctrines and practices, that debase the glory of God, and exalt and magnify the creature. Of the Scriptures as our Rule
THIS TEXT AND ITS SOURCES
- Berean Standard Bible Public domain
The document's own wording is unchanged apart from the quoted verses described above. Its proof-text references were resolved against this site's own copy of the Berean Standard Bible; the references it does not carry would be shown as references with no verse words.
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