The main principles of Christian religion in a 107 short articles or aphorisms, generally…

Expl. 1. In which A. there are these four things to be explained: (1.) What we are to understand by a mans end. And the Answer is, That by a mans end we mean that which a man doth intend or aim at in all his actions; or that which he does propose to himself as the reason of what he does; ex. gr. when you see a man building a House, if you ask him the reason why he builds a House, or what he intends in so doing; his answer will be, to dwell in it: And here, his dwelling in his House, when he hath built it, is his end in building his House. So again, when you see a man going to Church, if you ask him what he goes to Church for; he'll presently tell you, to hear a Sermon: Now this being that which he does design in going to Church, sc. to hear a Sermon, it may very well be called his end in going to Church. But then 2dly, It is next to be explained, what is meant by a mans chief end: Now a mans chief end, is that which he doth principally aim at in all his actions. As to keep to the last instance, though it be a mans end (in going to Church) to hear a Sermon; yet that is but a lower end, and that which he does only design in order to his chief end, which is to glorify God, and to enjoy Communion with God, by hearing his word: This Question therefore (What is the chief end of man?) is (q. d.) what is mans chief errand into the world? or what did God make man for? or ⟨p. 3⟩what is the great business that should take up the greatest part of a mans time, thoughts, cares, affections, and endeavours, whilst he lives in the world? or what is it that a man is principally to drive at in all his words, thoughts, and actions, in all his duties both to God and man, and in all his dealings with the world? Now this is that which should be his general drift in all, sc. To glorify God, and to enjoy God both in this world and a better. And this is the plain meaning of those Scriptures which are here made use of as proofs. But (alas) is it not sadly to be lamented, that the corrupt generality of people, have quite forgotten what errand they were sent about into the world; whilst some make worldly honours and preferments their chief end, as the ambitious; others make worldly gain and profit their chief end, and that which they mainly drive at, as the covetous;

Expl. 1. In which A. there are these four things to be explain'd: (1.) What we are to understand by a mans end. And the Answer is, That by a mans end we mean that which a man doth intend or aim at in all his actions; or that which he does propose to himself as the reason of what he does; ex. gr. when you see a man bulding a House, if you ask him the reason why he builds a House, or what he intends in so doing; his answer will be, to dwell in it: And here, his dwelling in his House, when he hath built it, is his end in building his House. So again, when you see a man going to Church, if you ask him what he goes to Church for; he'll presently tell you, to hear a Sermon: Now this being that which he does design in going to Church, sc. to hear a Sermon, it may very well be called his end in going to Church. But then 2dly, It is next to be explained, what is meant by a mans chief end: Now a mans chief end, is that which he doth principally aim at in all his actions. As to keep to the last instance, though it be a mans end (in going to Church) to hear a Sermon; yet that is but a lower end, and that which he does only design in order to his chief end, which is to glorifie God, and to enjoy Communion with God, by hearing his word: This Question therefore (What is the chief end of man?) is (q. d.) what is mans chief errand into the world? or what did God make man for? or