"The _Bishop_ in some Cases gives up the Cause, and seems himself to be almost ashamed of the _Letter_; and for the Maintenance of the Honour of _Jesus_, and the Dignity of his miraculous Operation, flies to Allegory; allowing that _this_ and _that_ Miracle might be typical and figurative of somewhat else, as his Thoughts did suggest to him. But here he discovers his poor Talent at Allegories, making no more Resemblance between the _Type_ and _Antitype_, than between an _Apple_ and an _Oyster_. "I am repeatedly charg'd by the _Bishop_ with Infidelity, for writing against the _Letter_, tho' I am as grave as a Judge at the allegorical Interpretation; and he can't but know that Infidelity and Allegorism are incompatible in the same Person. To prove me an Infidel, he should have shewn that I meant to pour Contempt upon the allegorical, as well as litteral Sense of Jesus's Miracles; but he has not once hinted at this. A certain great Writer, call'd Mr. _Grounds_, plays a double Game upon the _Clergy_, he laughs at the _allegorical_ as well as _litteral_ Scheme, and distresses the _Clergy_ with his Objections against both. But I have not done so; I really am, or seem to be, a sincere Contender for the allegorical Sense. And to make an _Infidel_ of an _Allegorist_, is more difficult and impossible than to make a _Monkey_ of a _Bishop_. "The _Bishop_, as a _Minister of the Letter_, has spoken too favourably of the allegorical Scheme; he has treated it with too much Respect, both as to the Origin and Use of it, and done enough to sap the Foundation of his Church; for which, I am afraid, he'll meet with a Reprimand from his Episcopal Brethren. The _Bishop_ of _Lichfield_ is the Man for my Money, to write against the allegorical Scheme; he tells us, that[352] _St._ Paul _suffer'd in the Esteem of the Jewish Christians for his Neglect of Allegories; and seems to be brought into the Use of them against his own good liking_. And again,[353] _It seems to have been in compliance with Jewish Christians, who were affected with allegorick Interpretations, that St._ Paul _used that way_. Which is as much as to say, St. _Paul_ was more a _Minister of the Spirit_, than of Inclination he was disposed to be, or, in truth, ought to have been; and that, if he took upon him the Ministry of the Spirit for the present, it was only craftily and politically done of him, to catch the _Jews_ in their own Snare of Allegories. He was consenting that the Preachers of the Gospel, in future Times, should desert the _Ministry of the Spirit_, and betake themselves to the _Letter_ of the Scriptures, as what is more agreeable to Truth, and conducive to the Defence and Propagation of Christianity. Such a _Craftsman_ was the inspir'd St. _Paul_, in