forced to confess the truth, though joined with an acknowledgement of
their guilt; which made them liable to be punished by Pilate: they
confessed that they were asleep, and in the mean time that the body was
stolen away by the disciples.

This evidence of the Roman soldiers, and the far stronger
evidence arising from the clandestine method of breaking up the seals,
are sufficient proofs of fraud.

But there is another circumstance in the case, of equal weight.
Though the seals did not prevent the cheat entirely, yet they
effectually falsified the prediction. According to the prediction,
Jesus was to rise on the third day, or after the third day. At this
time the chief priests intended to be present, and probably would have
been attended by a great multitude. This made it impossible to play
any tricks at that time; and therefore the apostles were forced the
hasten the plot: and accordingly the resurrection happened a day before
its time; for the body was buried on the Friday, and was gone early in
the morning on Sunday.

These are plain facts; facts drawn from the accounts given to us
by those who are friends to the belief of the resurrection. The
Gentleman won't call these imaginations, or complain that I have given
him schemes instead of evidence.

Mr. B. My Lord, I am now to consider that part of the
argument upon which the Gentleman lays the greatest stress. He has
given us his evidence; mere evidence, he says, unmixed, and clear of
all schemes and imaginations. In one thing indeed he has been as good
as his word; he has proved beyond contradiction, that Christ died, and