And this will appeare to a diligent eye, [ 74] even out of the con∣troversed place in Rev. 20. for besides, that the opposition be∣twixt the first and last resurrection, doth impose the same sense on both; besides this, I say, the vision represented not unto St. John, perfect men, (at the first,) that is, men that should be be∣headed for the witnesse of Jesus, but soules onely, and that as of men already beheaded: which most manifestly shewes that the resurrection after mentioned, did follow their death, and not goe before it. And therefore, may not be taken spiritu∣ally, for their regeneration, for the renewing of their mindes, which is to precede their persecution, (and may more probably be referred to the sealing of the servants of God in their fore∣heads, spoken of in chap. 7.) But materially and properly, for the quickning of their bodies, when once the number of the per∣secuted is fulfilled: whose consummation and glorious exaltati∣tion, this vision did represent.
This forme of discoursing shewes manifestly, that the Authour is a strange wrangler: for 1. There is no more opposition, nor agreement betwixt the first and second resurrection, then is betwixt the first and second death: but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will say, that the first and second deaths are in a