Now the belief hereof hath been received either grosly and in the general, that is not distinguishing the manner or particular way of this continuation, in which sense probably the grosser and undiscerning party received it. Or more distinctly apprehending the manner of his immortality; that is, that _John_ should never properly die, but be translated into Paradise, there to remain with _Enoch_ and _Elias_ until about the coming of Christ; and should be slain with them under Antichrist, according to that of the Apocalyps. I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesie a thousand two hundred and threescore days cloathed in sack-cloth, and when they shall have finished their Testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit, shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. Hereof, as _Baronius_ observeth, within three hundred years after Christ, _Hippolytus_ the Martyr was the first assertor, but hath been maintained by _Metaphrastes_, by _Freculphus_, but especially by _Georgius Trapezuntius_, who hath expresly treated upon this Text, and although he lived but in the last Century, did still affirm that _John_ was not yet dead. The same is also hinted by the learned Italian Poet _Dante_, who in his Poetical survey of Paradise, meeting with the soul of St. _John_, and desiring to see his body; received answer from him that his body was in earth, and there should remain with other bodys, until the number of the blessed were accomplished. _In terra è terra il mio corpo, et saragli Tanto con gli altri, che l' numero nostro Con l' eterno proposito s' agguagli._ As for the gross opinion that he should not die, it is sufficiently refuted by that which first occasioned it, that is the Scripture it self, and no further off than the very subsequent verse: Yet Jesus said unto him, he should not die, but if I will that he tarry till I come, What is that to thee? And this was written by _John_ himself, whom the opinion concerned; and as is conceived many years after, when _Peter_ had suffered and fulfilled the prophesie of Christ.