The third confirmed it in ages farther descending, and proved a powerfull argument unto all others following; because in his tomb at _Ephesus_ there was no corps or relique thereof to be found; whereupon arose divers doubts, and many suspitious conceptions; some believing he was not buried, some that he was buried but risen again, others that he descended alive into his tomb, and from thence departed after. But all these proceeded upon unveritable grounds, as _Baronius_ hath observed; who alledgeth a letter of _Celestine_ Bishop of _Rome_, unto the Council of _Ephesus_, wherein he declareth the reliques of _John_ were highly honoured by that City; and by a passage also of _Chrysostome_ in the Homilies of the Apostles, That _John_ being dead, did cures in _Ephesus_, as though he were still alive. And so I observe that _Esthius_ discussing this point concludeth hereupon, _Quod corpus ejus nunquam reperiatur, hoc non dicerent si veterum scripta diligenter perlustrassent_. Now that the first ages after Christ, those succeeding, or any other should proceed into opinions so far divided from reason, as to think of immortality after the fall of _Adam_, or conceit a man in these later times should out-live our fathers in the first; although it seem very strange, yet is it not incredible. For the credulity of men hath been deluded into the like conceits; and as _Ireneus_ and _Tertullian_ mention, one _Menander_ a _Samaritan_ obtained belief in this very point; whose doctrin it was, that death should have no power on his disciples, and such as received his baptism should receive immortality therewith. Twas surely an apprehension very strange; nor usually falling either from the absurdities of Melancholy or vanities of ambition. Some indeed have been so affectedly vain, as to counterfeit Immortality, and have stoln their death, in a hope to be esteemed immortal; and others have conceived themselves dead; but surely few or none have fallen upon so bold an errour, as not to think that they could die at all. The reason of those mighty ones, whose ambition could suffer them to be called gods, would never be flattered into immortality; but the proudest thereof have by the daily dictates of corruption convinced the impropriety of that appellation. And surely although delusion may run high, and possible it is that for a while a man may forget his nature, yet cannot this be durable. For the inconcealable imperfections of our selves, or their daily examples in others, will hourly prompt us our corruption, and loudly tell us we are the sons of earth. CHAPTER XI More compendiously of some others.