I must also some Time take to task the Story of the _many dead Bodies of the Saints, that upon Christs Resurrection, came out of their Graves, and appear'd unto many_; which is too imperfectly related to merit Credit. The _Evangelist_, if he would have a reasonable Man believe his Story, should have told us, who those Saints were, and what Numbers of them; and whether they appear'd to the converted or unconverted _Jews_; whether they were some of the Patriarchs and Prophets of old, or some lately departed Disciples, who, for all _Jesus_'s healing Power, died in the Time of his Ministry; and whether there were any Women among those Saints; and whether they appear'd naked (as _Jesus_ modestly did to _Mary Magdalen_, unless he flip'd himself by _Stealth_ into the Cloths of the Gardener, which might be the Reason of her Mistake, for she suppos'd she saw the Gardener) and whether they return'd again to Corruption, or ascended into Heaven. For want of these specifical Circumstances, the _Evangelist_ has told us a Tale, that has neither Head nor Foot to it: and unless the Fathers mystically answer, to Satisfaction, every one of the aforesaid _Queries_, I'll reject this Story for mere Romance and Imposture. These and many other historical and seemingly miraculous Stories of the Gospel, are some time to be taken into Consideration; for I will not give this Work over, till I have demonstrated beyond all Contradiction, that the evangelical Writings are but the Shadow of Divine Mysteries; and that literal Interpreters, whom[144] _Origen_ calls _vulgar Capacities_, are under a Mistake, if they think, they understand any Thing, as they ought, of the four Gospels. I should conclude now, as it becomes a _Moderator_, with an Address to _Infidels_ and _Apostates_, the great Combatants in this Controversy. But I have not Room to be as large, as I would, in my Exhortations to them distinctly, so I can only desire them to continue the Controversy with Zeal and Vigour, not doubting but it will end to the Honour of Jesus, the Good of his Church, and the Happiness of Mankind. The blessed Fruits of this Controversy are already seen and felt in the almost Cure of a most malignant Distemper, call'd _Bigottry_, which has been the Bane of human Society, and in Times past more destructive of the World than either War or Pestilence. Go on then, _Great_ and _Good Sirs_, till the Cure is perfected. And as you merit Praises and Rewards for your several Labours; So I hope you'll meet with them. The _Nobility_ and _Gentry_, of the Kingdom, as I learn, are sensibly touch'd with the Usefulness of this Controversy; whereupon it is to be hoped the _Legislative Authority_ will soon give Thanks to the great Mr. _Grounds_ and Mr. _Scheme_ for their Pains in it; and not forget to do Justice to the _Bishops_ and _Clergy_ according to their Merits. But I can't stay here to talk more on this Head, being obliged to make an Epistolary * * * * *