I must also sometime take into Consideration the Story of _Jesus_'s Abode in the Wilderness, forty Days, in Company of the _Devil_, who tempted him. This literally, as our _Divines_ understand it, is a Scandalous Story. The _Jews_, in our Saviour's Time, said, that through _Belzebub_, he cast out _Devils_; and their Posterity have asserted, that he learn'd the Magick Art of a _Dæmon_. This Story gives too much Grounds for such a Suspicion. Our _Divines_, who should know best, talk of abundance of Mischief, the _Devil_ has been permitted to do in the World ever since; I hope it was not by Compact and Agreement between them; but it would have been of some Satisfaction to the Contrary, if the _Evangelist_ had told us expresly upon what Terms they mett and parted. As Fables go, it is said to the Honour of St. _Dunstan_, that he took the _Devil_ by the Nose, when he tempted him; and if _Jesus_ had taken him by the _Collar_, and thrust him into his _Dungeon_, and there chain'd him, and shut _Hell-Gates_ upon him; I appeal to honest plain Christians, whether such an _Herculean_ Labour would not have pleased them well. Ever since I read of _Martin Luther_'s Conversation with the _Devil_, I have had but indifferent Thoughts of his _Protestantism_; and unless the Fathers turn this Story before us into Mystery, Allegory and Cabalism, I shall think ill of Christianity. I should also take into Examination the Story of an Angel's appearing to the Shepherds, and saying to them; _Behold I bring you Tidings of great Joy_, &c. If there was any Truth literally in _this_ Story, and in _that_ of a Star's appearing to the wise Men, there must be a great Mistake in the Report of both of them. St. _Matthew_ and St. _Luke_ have both blunder'd. It was the Star that appear'd to the Shepherds by Night; and the Angel (I speak upon Reason and Authority) that was sent to the wise Men. What then to do with these two Stories, and to salve the Credit of the _Evangelists_, I knew not, till the Fathers directed me to the Use of a mythological _Metamorphosis_: And then I presently learn'd the Trick on't, to transform Stars into Angels, and Shepherds too, or Pastors of Christ's Flock (which was the Difficulty) into wise Men; and so I made one Moral or Mistery of the two Fables.