What is the chief end of man?

Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever.

Is man a reasonable creature?

Yes: for there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding, Job 32:8.

Has he greater capacities than the brutes?

Yes: God teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven, Job 35:11.

Is man his own maker?

No: it is God that hath made us, and not we ourselves, Psalm 100:3.

Is he then his own master?

No: there is a Lord over us, Psalm 12:4.

Is he his own carver?

No: should it be according to thy mind, Job 34:33.

Is he his own end?

No: for none of us lives to himself, or dies to himself, Romans 14:7.

Is it your business in the world to serve the flesh?

No: for we are not debtors to the flesh, that we should live after the flesh, Rom. 8:12.

Is it to pursue the world?

No: for we are not of the world, John 17:16.

Is your happiness bound up in the creature?

No: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit, Eccl. 1:14.

Will the riches of the world make you happy?

No: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth, Luke 12:15.

Will the praise and applause of men make you happy?

No: for it is vain glory, Gal. 5:26.

Will sport and pleasure make you happy?

No: for the wise man said of laughter, It is mad, and of mirth, What doth it? Eccl. 2:2.

Can the gain of the world make you happy?

No, for what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Matthew 16:26.

Is God then your chief end?

Yes, for of him, and through him, and to him are all things, Rom. 11:36.

Were you made for him?

Yes: this people have I formed for myself, Isa. 43:21.

Were you redeemed for him?

Yes: ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price, 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.

Is God your chief good?

Yes: for happy is the people whose God is the Lord, Ps. 144:15.

Does all good come from him?

Yes: for with him is the fountain of life, Ps. 36:9.

And is all good enjoyed in him?

Yes: the Lord is the portion of my inheritance, and of my cup, Ps. 16:5.

Is it your chief happiness then to have God's favour?

Yes: for in his favour is life, Ps. 30:5.

Is that the most desirable good?

Yes: for his loving kindness is better than life, Ps. 63:3.

Do you desire it above any good?

Yes: Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us, Ps. 4:6, 7.

And should you give all diligence to make it sure?

Yes: herein we labour, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of the Lord, 2 Cor. 5:9.

Is communion with God in grace here the best pleasure?

Yes: it is good for me to draw near to God, Ps. 73:28.

Is the vision and fruition of God in glory hereafter the best portion?

Yes: for in his presence there is fulness of joy, Ps. 16:11.

Will you therefore set your heart upon this chief good?

Yes: Lord, whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee; when my flesh and my heart fail, God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever, Ps. 73:25, 26.