Catechism of the Church of Geneva (1545)
Being a form of instruction for children in the doctrine of Christ
What Is the Chief End of Human Life?
Master.-What is the chief end of human life?
Scholar.-To know God by whom men were created.
M.—What reason have you for saying so?
S.—Because he created us and placed us in this world to be glorified
in us. And it is indeed right that our life, of which himself is the
beginning, should be devoted to his glory.
M.—What is the highest good of man?
S.—The very same thing.
M.—Why do you hold that to be the highest good?
S.—-Because without it our condition is worse than that of the brutes.
M.—Hence, then, we clearly see that nothing worse can happen to a man than not to live to God.
S.—It is so.
M.—What is the true and right knowledge of God?
S.—When he is so known that due honour is paid to him.
M.—What is the method of honouring him duly?
S.—To place our whole confidence in him; to study to serve him during
our whole life by obeying his will; to call upon him in all our
necessities, seeking salvation and every good thing that can be desired
in him; lastly, to acknowledge him both with heart and lips, as the sole
Author of all blessings.
M.—To consider these points in their order, and explain them more fully-What is the first head in this division of yours?
S.—To place our whole confidence in God.
M.—How shall we do so?
S.—When we know him to be Almighty and perfectly good.
M.—Is this enough?
S.—Far from it.
M.—Wherefore?
S.—Because we are unworthy that he should exert his power in helping us, and show how good he is by saving us.
M.—What more then is needful?
S.—That each of us should set it down in his mind that God loves him,
and is willing to be a Father, and the author of salvation to him.
M.—But whence will this appear?
S.—From his word, in which he explains his mercy to us in Christ, and testifies of his love towards us.
M.—Then the foundation and beginning of confidence in God is to know him in Christ?
S.—Entirely so
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