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.
For the particular conceit, the foundation is weak, nor can it be made out from the Text alledged in the Apocalyps: for beside that therein two persons are only named, no mention is made of _John_, a third Actor in this Tragedy. [SN: _The death of St._ John _Evangelist, where and when._] The same is also overthrown by History, which recordeth not only the death of _John_, but assigneth the place of his burial, that is _Ephesus_, a City in _Asia_ minor, whither after he had been banished into _Patmos_ by _Domitian_, he returned in the reign of Nerva, there deceased, and was buried in the days of _Trajan_. And this is testified by _Jerom_[SN: De Scriptor. Ecclesiast.], by _Tertullian_ [SN: De Anima.], by _Chrysostom_ and _Eusebius_, in whose days his Sepulchre was to be seen; and by a more ancient Testimony alleadged also by him, that is of _Polycrates_ Bishop of _Ephesus_, not many successions after _John_; whose words are these in an Epistle unto _Victor_ Bishop of _Rome, Johannes ille qui supra pectus Domini recumbebat, Doctor optimus, apud Ephesum dormivit_; many of the like nature are noted by _Baronius_, _Jansenius_, _Estius_, _Lipellous_, and others.
Now the main and primitive ground of this error, was a gross mistake in the words of Christ, and a false apprehension of his meaning; understanding that positively which was but conditionally expressed, or receiving that affirmatively which was but concessively delivered. For the words of our Saviour run in a doubtful strain, rather reprehending than satisfying the curiosity of _Peter_; as though he should have said, Thou hast thy own doom, why enquirest thou after thy Brothers? What relief unto thy affliction, will be the society of anothers? Why pryest thou into the secrets of Gods will? If he stay until I come, what concerneth it thee, who shalt be sure to suffer before that time? And such an answer probably he returned, because he fore-knew _John_ should not suffer a violent death, but go unto his grave in peace. Which had _Peter_ assuredly known, it might have cast some water on his flames, and smothered those fires which kindled after unto the honour of his Master.