_SIR_, "We remember that this Deceiver and Impostor _Jesus_, who was yesterday crucified, and justly suffer'd Death for his Blasphemy and many Delusions of the People (that were of bad Consequence, and might have been of much worse, if he had not been timely brought to condign Punishment) said repeatedly before, that notwithstanding the Death he was to undergo he should rise again to Life the _third Day_ after. It is not that we are at all apprehensive of such a wonderful and miraculous Event, which knowing him to have been a false Prophet as well as a deceitful Juggler, we have no Fears nor Belief of. But as it is not long since, that the Inhabitants in and about _Bethany_ had like to have been fatally deluded and imposed on by him, in the pretended Resuscitation of _Lazarus_, one of his Disciples and Confederates in Iniquity; so it is not altogether impossible nor improbable but his Disciples and Accomplices, who are many, may project a feign'd Resurrection of _Jesus_ (in Accomplishment of his Prediction) by stealing his Body away, and pretending he is risen from the dead. Should such a Sham-Miracle be contrived amongst them, and cunningly executed, it would be [Greek: planê] (_not an Error but_) an Imposture of worse Consequence to our Nation and Religion, than the former in _Lazarus_ could have been, if it had never been detected: We crave therefore the Favour of your _Excellency_, to give Command for the making his Sepulchre sure, till the _third_ Day is past, that neither his _dead_ Body may be taken away, and a Resurrection pretended; nor a _living_ one slipt into its Place, and a Miracle counterfeited on that Day, when we will be present at the opening of the Sepulchre, and give Satisfaction to the People of his being a false Prophet." Whether _Pilate_ was at all intent on the Prevention of Fraud in this Case, or would not willingly have connived at it, to increase the Divisions and Distractions of our then unhappy Nation, may be question'd: But the Request of our _Chief Priests_ was so reasonable, and their Importunities so urgent, that he could not resist them; and therefore order'd them a _Watch_ for the Sepulchre, which they might make as sure, as they could, against Fraud and Imposture, till the _third Day_. Whereupon our _Chief Priests_ deliberate, what Measures were fittest to be taken to this Purpose. And as I can't, and don't believe any Man else can, devise any better for the Security of the Sepulchre against Fraud, than what they took; so I admire and applaud their Prudence, Circumspection, and Precaution in the Case. They _seal'd the Stone_ at the Mouth of the Sepulchre, and placed a Guard of Soldiers about it; which were _Two_ such certain Means for the Prevention or Detection of Cheat in a Resurrection, as are not to be equall'd by any other.