When I review my _Discourses_ on _Miracles_, and consider not only their visible Tendency to the Proof of _Jesus_'s Messiahship, but my solemn Declarations of the Belief of Christianity; I wonder that such a Number of Writers against me should all of them (excepting Mr. _Laurence_[402] whom I here thank and praise for his Ingenuity) take me for an Infidel. I don't indeed much wonder, that the inferior Tribe of _Levi_ (such is their egregious Ignorance!) should take me for one; but that such presumed great _Scholars_, as are the Bishops of _London_ and St. _David_'s, should so mistake me, is astonishing. And I am not as yet fully satisfied, whether it be their _Ignorance_ or their _Malice_, thus to accuse me of Infidelity: If it was really _Ignorance_ in them, they'll soon be convinced of their Error; and then, like good Christians, they'll make me Satisfaction for the Injuries done me. But if it was _Malice_, and in Revenge on me for writing so much against an _Hired-Priesthood_, then they'll go on, and _die hard_, without any Remorse for the Troubles, Sufferings and Expences they have put me to. As I am really a Christian, and shall, by God's Help, demonstrate the Messiahship of _Jesus_, to which my _Discourses_ on his _Miracles_ were subservient; so I will make bold to tell the _Bishops_ concern'd, that I am as certainly persecuted, as ever any Christian was since the Days of the Apostles: And they will do well to consider, whether they have not everlastingly disgraced themselves, and done some Dishonour to the best Civil Administration, that ever Nation was bless'd with, by engaging them in the Persecution of the most sincere Advocate for the Truth of Christianity, that ever set Pen to Paper. I am so far from being an Infidel, that, notwithstanding my _Discourses_ on _Miracles_, I am an implicit Believer, and most devout Admirer of Doctrines, Historical Facts, and Traditions of the primitive Church, adhering to many Notions of the Fathers, besides their allegorical Scheme (as will be seen in the Sequel of this Controversy) which the _Divines_ of these last Ages have rejected, as so many Weaknesses and Mistakes in them. And when I come more fully to open my Mind, it will be well if the _Clergy_ don't change their _Note_ about me; and instead of accusing me of Infidelity, ridicule me for too much Credulity, and even Superstition; or I would not espouse _such_ and _such_ Doctrines and Traditions, which all learned and Protestant _Criticks_ have discarded. Some of these old Notions I'll keep to myself, for fear of being over-much laught at by the _Clergy_ for them, but others upon Occasion I will divulge; and don't care if I tell my _Readers_ here one of them, thus: