down to earth again, as it is to die, and rise again? Now, this very
thing Mahomet pretended to do; and all his disciples believe it. Can
you deny this fact?

Mr. B. Deny it, Sir? No. But tell us who went with Mahomet? Who
were his witnesses? I expect, before we are done, to hear of the
guards set over the sepulchre of Christ, and the seal of the stone.
What guard watched Mahomet in his going or returning? What seals and
credentials had he? He himself pretends to none. His followers
pretend to nothing but his own word. We are now to consider the
evidence for Christ's resurrection, and you think to parallel it, by
producing a case for which no one ever pretended there was any
evidence. You have Mahomet's word; and no man ever told a lie, but you
had his word for the truth of what he said: and therefore you need not
go round the globe to find such instances as these. But this story, it
is said, has gained great credit, and is received by many nations.
Very well. And how was it received? Was not every man converted to
this faith with the sword at his throat? In our case, every witness to
the resurrection, and every believer of it, was hourly exposed to
death. In the other case, whoever refused to believe, died; or, what
was as bad, lived a wretched conquered slave. And will you pretend
these cases to be alike? One case indeed there was, within our own
memory, which, in some circumstances, came near to the case now before
us. The French prophets put the credit of their mission upon the
resurrection of Dr. Emmes, and gave publick notice of it. If the
Gentleman pleases to make use of this instance, it is at his service.

Mr. A. The instance of Dr. Emmes is so far to the purpose, that
it shews to what lengths enthusiasm will carry men. And why might not
the same thing happen at Jerusalem, which happened but a few years ago