An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

But if any ask, What are the ends of God in his work?

I answer, They are very various.

First, The chief end of all that God doth, is the advancement of his own Name and Glory. As he made all things for himself in Creation, so he doth all things for himself in Providence. That which is the sin of man is the holiness of God, to seek himself. It is most proper for God, who is the chief good, and whose glory is the ultimate end of all things, to set up himself in all things (Prov. 16.4.) The Lord hath made all things for himself, saith Solomon. And the Apostle faith as much (Rom. 11.36.) Of him and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever, Amen. All things are of him, therefore all things should return unto him. If we would magnify any work of God, we must be sure to give him this end, the glory of it. Let it not satisfy us, that we are advanced, or get up by the works of God, unless we our selves advance his glory by them. Many advance themselves, and are lifted up with pride, when God works for them or by them, not at all minding that which they should chiefly mind, the glorifying of God in & by what he hath w ought, either for themselves or others.

First, The chief end of all that God doth, is the advancement of his own Name and Glory. As he made all things for himself in Creation, so he doth all things for himself in Providence. That which is the sin of man is the holiness of God, to seek himself. It is most proper for God, who is the chief good, and whose glory is the ultimate end of all things, to set up himself in all things (