APPENDIX
A SHORT DISCOURSE OF SUPERSTITION
By JOHN SMITH
THE CONTENTS OF THE ENSUING DISCOURSE
The true Notion of Superstition well express’d by Δεισιδαιμονία, i.e. an over-timorous and dreadful apprehension of the Deity.
A false opinion of the Deity the true cause and rise of Superstition.
Superstition is most incident to such as Converse not with the Goodness of God, or are conscious to themselves of their own unlikeness to him.
Right apprehensions of God beget in man a Nobleness and Freedome of Soul.
Superstition, though it looks upon God as an angry Deity, yet it counts him easily pleas’d with flattering Worship.
Apprehensions of a Deity and Guilt meeting together are apt to excite Fear.
Hypocrites to spare their Sins seek out waies to compound with God.