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TO THE

READ E R.

THE

HE Divine Providence having unexpectedly caft Lot for a few Days in Dartmouth, where that bleed Man of God Mr. John Flavel did for many Years honour Chrift, and was honoured by him; I have been favoured with a Sight of that most judicious Explication of the Affemblies Catechifm, which is emitted herewith.

Being defired to testify my Respect to the worthy Author, by Prefacing this Excellent Labour of his with a few Lines; I can truly fay (as fometimes Beza of Calvin) Now Mr. Flavel is dead, Life will be less sweet, and Death less bitter to me.

My heart bleeds to look on this defolate Place, and not to jee him, that whilst living, was the Glory of it.

But neither the Author, nor his Writings ftand in Need of the Commendation of others, much less of mine.

His Works already published have made his Name precious in both Englands, and it will be fo as long as the Earth fhall endure.

There are fome Confiderations which may cause the Reader to expect (and he will not find himself disappointed therein) that which is extraordinary in this little Manuel: for the Author's Heart was very much engaged in doing this Service for Chrift, in

And he did himself de

thus feeding bis Lambs. fign the Publication of what is bere committed to the Prefs; and was very defirous (with an boly Submiffion to the Will of God) to have perfected this Work before his Deceafe: but had strange Intimations that he fhould finish his Course, before that could be done.

When he did viva voce deliver his Meditations, there were many Enlargements, and lively Paffages which are not bere inferted: nevertheless here is as much as he thought needful for publick View, not being willing that his Book fhould be Volumi

nous.

In his laft Catechetical Exercife concerning Hallowing the Name of God, he was exceedingly enlarged; but he must himself go into the Kingdom of Glory, when he intended to have difcourfed on that Petition, Thy Kingdom come.

He also began fome Meditations on Joys of Heaven: But before he had an Opportunity to express what had been in his Heart, the Lord Fefus faid unto him, Enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. And thus doth it happen many Times to the eminent and boly Servants of God.

Another Confideration, recommending what comes berewith, is, that it was amongst Mr. Flavell's laft Works. The (iğòdia gnμara) Laft Sayings of wife and great Men have been esteemed Oraculous; and the Scripture puts an Emphasis on the laft Words of David, the fweet Singer of Ifrael, 2

Sam

Sam. xxiii. 1. Not that those were the last Wards that ever David fpake, 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. Flavell not long before his Tranflation to the World of Souls, where the Spirits of Just Men are made perfect.

There was a more than ordinary Prefence of God with him to his laft; and in his laft Days, not the laft Sermon that he preached (which was June 21. 1691). He did more than once furprize bis Hearers with an Intimation that, that might be the laft Time he should speak to them in the Name of the Lord. Aud 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 Jefus, the great Shepherd of the Sheep, have Compaffion on them, and give them a Shepherd like to his bleffed Servant Flavell, who did for many Years feed them with Knowledge, and with UnderStanding.

Dartmouth, March the 21st 1691.

Increase Mather.

ΑΝ

A N

EXPOSITION

OF THE

Affemblies Shorter Catechism.

W

1 Question.

Of Man's Chief End.

HAT 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 fuppofeth an inferior End; What is that inferior End for which Man was made?

A. It was prudently, foberly, and mercifully, to govern, ufc, and difpofe of other Creatures in the Earth, Sea, and Air, over which God gave Man the Dominion; Gen. i. 26. And God faid, Let us make Man in our Image, after our Likeness: and let them 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 Pfal. viii. 6. Thou madeft him to have Dominion over the Works of thy Hands, thou haft put all Things under his Feet.

Q. 2. What then is to be thought of thofe Men, who being wholly intent upon inferior Things, forget and neglect their principal End?

A., They are dead whilst they live, 1 Tim. v. 6. But he that liveth in Pleafure, is dead whilft the liveth. They have their Portion in this Life, Pfal. xvii. 14. From Men of the World, which have their Portion in this Life, and their End is Destruction; Phil. iii. 19. Whofe End is Deftruction.

Q.3. How can Man glorify God, fecing he is perfectly glorious in himself?

B

A. Man

A. Man cannot glorify God by adding any new Degree of Glory to him, Job xxxv. 7. If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? but by manifefting his Glory with the Lips, Pfal. 1. 23. Whofo offereth Praife glorifieth me; or with the Life, Mat. v. 16. Let your Light jo fhine before Men, that they may fee your good Works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. Q4. Wherein confifts the Enjoyment of God?

A. It confifts, Firft, in the facial Vifion of him in Heaven. Secondly, in full Conformity to him, 1 Joh. iii. 2. But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we fball fee him as he is. Thirdly, in that full Satisfaction which refults from both the former, Pfal. xvii. 15. I shall be fatisfied when I awake with thy Likeness.

Q5. Can none enjoy him in Heaven, who do not glorify him on Earth?

A. No adult Perfon can fcripturally expect Happiness in Heaven, without Holiness on Earth, Heb. xii. 14. And Holinefs without which no Man fhall fee the Lord. Rom. viii. 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 Mafter, and rightful Owner, and Benefactor; we receive our Being and P:efervation from him; Of him, and through bim, and therefore to him be all Things, Rom. xi. 36. Q.7. Do all Men make God their chief End?

A. No, they do not; fome make their fenfual Pleasure their chief End, Phil. iii. 19. Whofe God is their Belly; and fome the World, Col. iii. 5. Mortify therefore your Members which are upon the Earth, and Coveteafness, which is Idolatry. Q. 8. What are the Signs of a Man's making himself his chief End?

A. Those make themfelves their chief End, who afcribe the Glory of what they have, or do, to themfelves, and not to God, Dan. iv. 30. The King Spake and said, Is not this great Babylon which I have built? Ifa. x. 18. For be faith, By the Strength of my Hand have I done it; and by my Wisdom for I am prudent; therefore they facrifice to their own Net, and burn Incense nnto their Drag. Heb. i. 16.

Q.9. Why are the glorifying and enjoying of God put together, as making up our chief End?

A. Because

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