"As it is plain from the Story in _John_, that there was a Dispute among the By-standers at _Lazarus_'s Resurrection, whether it was a real Miracle or not; so it is the Opinion of us _Jews_, which is of the Nature of a Tradition, that the _Chief-Priests_ and civil Magistrates of _Bethany_, for the better Determination of the Dispute and quieting of the Minds of the People, requir'd that _Jesus_ should re-act the Miracle upon another Person, there lately dead and buried. But _Jesus_ declining this Test of his Power, the whole Multitude of Believers as well as of Unbelievers before, question'd the Resurrection of _Lazarus_; and were highly incens'd against both him and _Jesus_ for the Deceit in it. And this was _one_ Reason among others of that vehement and Universal Outcry and Demand, at _Jesus_'s Tryal, for his Crucifixion. I'll not answer for the Certainty of this Tradition or Opinion, but as the Expedient was obvious, so it has the Face of Truth and Credibility; and for the Proof of it, I need only appeal to Christian _Priests_ and _Magistrates_; whether, under a Dispute of a Miracle of that Consequence, they would not require, for full Satisfaction, it should be acted over again; and, if the _Juggler_ refused, whether there would not be a general Clamour of People of all Ranks for his _Execution_.
"_Matthew_, _Mark_ and _Luke_, who knew as much of this Sham-Miracle as _John_, had not the Confidence to report it; because, when they wrote, many Eye-Witnesses of the Fraud were alive to disprove and contradict them; therefore they confined their Narratives to _Jesus_'s less juggling Tricks, that had pass'd more current: But after the _Jewish_ State was dissolved, their judicial Records were destroy'd, and every Body dead that could confute him, _John_ ventures abroad the Story of this Miracle; and if the good Providence of God had not infatuated him, in the Insertion of the Circumstances here observed, it might have pass'd through all Generations to come, as well as it has done for many past, for a grand Miracle.
"Thus, _Sir_, have you a few of my Thoughts on the pretended Miracle of _Lazarus_'s Resurrection. I have more to bestow on it, but that I would not be tedious. There's no need to argue against the other two Resurrection-Stories. You know _omne majus includit minus_, and if the greatest of the three Miracles be an Imposture, the two less ones of Consequence are Artifice and Fraud. And rather than the Miracle of _Lazarus_ shall stand its Ground, I'll have t'other Bout at it from some other Circumstances; the Consideration of which will make it as foolish and wicked an Imposture, as ever was contrived and transacted in the World; such a _wicked Imposture_ of most pernicious Consequence to the Welfare of the Publick, that it is no Wonder, the People, by an unanimous Voice, call'd for the Releasement of _Barabbas_, a Robber and Murderer, before _Jesus_. I don't suppose these Arguments against this Miracle will be convincing of your Christian _Clergy_, who are hired to the Belief of it. But however, a _Bishop_ of many _thousands_ a Year to believe, can't in Conscience deny, that the Arguments above are a sufficient Justification of our _Jewish_ Disbelief of it.