one main part of the cause now to be determined.

I beg leave to remind you, that Jesus in his lifetime foretold
his death, and that he should rise again the third day. The first part
of his prediction was accomplished: he died on the cross and was
buried. I will not trouble you with the particulars of his
crucifixion, death, and burial; it is a well known story.

Mr. B. My Lord, I desire to know, whether the Gentleman
charges any fraud upon this part of the history. Perhaps he may be of
the opinion by and by, that there was a sleight of hand in the
crucifixion, and that Christ only counterfeited death.

Mr. A. No, no; have no such fears; he was not crucified by
his disciples; but by the Romans and the Jews; and they were in very
good earnest. I will prove beyond contradiction, that the dead body
was fairly laid in the tomb; and it will be well for you if you can get
it as fairly out again.

Judge. Go on with your evidence.

Mr. A. My Lord, the crucifixion being over, the dead body
was conveyed to a sepulchre; and in the general opinion there seemed to
be an end of the whole design. But the governors of the Jews, watchful
for the safety of the people, called to mind that Jesus in his
lifetime had said, that he would rise again on the third day. It may
at first sight seem strange that they should give any attention to such
a prophecy; a prophecy big with confidence and presumption, and which
to the common sense of mankind carried its confutation along with it:
and "there is no other nation in the world which would not have