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SPIRITUAL MUSTARD POT:

CONTAINING

DEMONSTRATION OF THE EXISTENCE

OF GOD.

ANSWERS

TO THREE OBJECTIONS

TO THE

DIVINE ORIGIN OF THE SCRIPTURES.

AND,

AN ESSAY

ON THE ORIGIN OF RELIGION.

BY JOHN COGITANS. Ang Mom

To the Christian Philosopher, all things are consistent
and clear.-Southey.

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L. S. eighteenth

minth year of the Independence of the United States of America, A. D. 1824, Noah Harrison, of the said District, hath deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit :

"The Spiritual Mustard Pot: containing a demonstration of the existence of God. Answers to three objections to the divine origin of the scriptures. And an essay on the origin of Religion.By John Cogitans. To the christian philosopher, all things are consistent and clear.-Southey."

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned." And also, to the act entitled " An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned, extending the benefits thereof to the arts of Designing, Engraving, and Etching historical and other prints."

R. R. LANSING, Clerk of the Northern District of New-York.

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ADVERTISEMENT.

A SECOND, and perhaps a third, volume will, as is intended, be added to this work; but several years may elapse before their publication. I am aware that many errors, in the style of this volume, might be corrected by a thorough revision, but as I have no more time to spend upon it, it must go before the public, such as it is.

December 1, 1824.

INTRODUCTION.

PART FIRST.

THE American people have arrived at such a degree of freedom, prosperity, and happiness, that there is danger that they will forget their God. This fate is the more to be deplored, because as God has given them the fortune, (would that I could call it good,) to drink deeper than others of the bliss of this world, he will require from them the greater gratitude and worship. Though unfortunately he may expect that the gratitude of man, instead of being elevated by prosperity, will diminish as his happiness increases. Where much is given, much will be required in return; but there shall little be received. The miserable cry to God for assistance, in humble and acceptable prayer; but the happy do not thank him for the prosperity which he has granted. So great is the perversity of the human mind, so liable is man to be turned by pride from the path of reason and duty, and to forget the Being to whom he owes his life, and the happiness which he enjoys.

For these reasons, freedom and peace, which always lead to the prosperity of the people that possess them, the greatest blessings which man can desire, when this world alone is regarded, become exceedingly danger

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