very good figure in many late writings, but will not bear in any place
where he who maintains it may be asked questions. The mere antiquity
of the resurrection I gave up; for, if the evidence was not good at
first, it can't be good now. The Gentleman is willing, he says, to
spare us his history of ancient errors; and intimates, that upon this
account he passes over many instances of fraud, that were in like
circumstances to the case before us. I would not have the main
strength of his case betrayed in complaisance to me. Nothing can be
more material than to show a fraud of this kind, that prevailed
universally in the world. Christ Jesus declared himself a Prophet, and
put the proof of his mission on this, that he should die openly and
publickly, and rise again the third day. This surely was the hardest
plot in the world to be managed; and if there be one instance of this
kind, or in any degree like it, by all means let it be produced.

Mr. A. My Lord, There has hardly been an instance of a false
religion in the world, but it has also afforded a like instance to this
before us. Have they not all pretended to inspiration? Upon what foot
did Pythagoras, Numa, and others set up? Did they not all converse
with the gods, and pretend to deliver oracles?

Mr. B. This only shews, that revelation is by the common consent
of mankind the very best foundation of religion; and therefore every
imposter pretends to it. But is a man's hiding himself in a cave for
some years, and then coming out into the world, to be compared to a
man's dying, and rising to life again? So far from it, that you and I
and every man may do the one, but no man can do the other.

Mr. A. Sir, I suppose it will be allowed to be as great a thing
to go to heaven, and converse with angels, and with God, and to come