I have sometimes wonder'd, considering the Nature and Heinousness of _Jesus_'s Faults, for which he dy'd, that our _Chief Priests_ and _Pharisees_ had any Regard to his Prediction (which was so like a Bambouzlement of the Populace) that he was to rise again the _third Day_ after his Crucifixion. There's no other Nation in the World, which would not have slighted such a vain Prognostication of a known Impostor. Let him foretell with ever so much Confidence his speedy Return to Life, I dare say, any other Magistrates of ordinary Prudence would have despised him for a presumptuous _Enthusiast_: But, when I reflected on the Imposture of _Lazarus_'s Resurrection, and of what pernicious Consequence it had like to have proved to the Peace and Welfare of our Nation, if it had not been happily discover'd, my Wonder here ceas'd; and I as much admire now the Wisdom, Caution and Circumspection of our _Chief Priests_ against all possible Fraud and Deceit in the foretold Resurrection of _Jesus_. Tho' _Jesus_ himself, the Head of the Confederacy, and prime Projector of the design'd Cheat in the Case of _Lazarus_ was cut off, yet his Associates were still numerous; and it was not impossible, but they might concert a Project of a counterfeited Resurrection of him, in Accomplishment of his Prophecy, that might be of more fatal Consequence, and tend to such Confusions and Distractions among the People, as would not be soon quell'd and quieted. Whereupon our _Chief Priests_ very prudently consider of Precautions against Cheat here, and wisely make Application to _Pilate_ the _Governour_, that proper and effectual Measures may be taken against a false and feign'd Resurrection, for Fear of the ill Effects of it. And one of them, as the _Spokesman_ of their Company, seems, according to _Matthew_, Ch. xxviii. to have made the Speech following.