An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

It is also credibly Attested that a thing no less Remarkable than either of the former, happened but nine years ago at another place ⟨p. 235⟩in England. The sum of the Story as it is published in Mr. Glanvil's Collection of Relations, P. 172. is this: On the ninth of November 1674. Thomas Goddard of Marlborough in the County of Wilts, as he was going to Ogborn, about 9. h. A. M. he met the Apparition of his Father in Law Edward Avon, who had been dead about half a year. He seemed to stand by the Stile, which Goddard was to go over. When he came near, the Spectre spake to him with an audible voice, saying, Are you afraid? to whom he answered, I am, thinking of one who is dead and buried, whom you are like. To which the Apparition replied, I am he; come near me I will do you no harm; to which Goddard replied, I trust in him who hath bought my Soul with his precious blood, you shall do me no harm. Then the Spectre said, how stand cases at home? Goddard asked what cases? Then it asked him, how doth William and Mary? meaning belike, his Son William and his Daughter Mary, whom this Goddard had married. And it said, What? Tayl•r is Dead; meaning as Goddard thought, one of that Name in London, who had married another of Avon's Daughters, and died in September before this. The Spectre offered him some Money, desiring it might be sent to ⟨p. 236⟩his Daughter that was lately become a Widow; but Goddard answered, In the Name of Jesus Christ I refuse all such Money. Then the Apparition said, I perceive you are afraid, I will meet you some other time: so it went away. The next night about 7 h. it came and opened his Shop-Window, and looked him in the face, but said nothing. And the next night after as Goddard went into his back-side with a Candle light in his hand, but he being affrighted ran into his House, and saw it no more at that time. But on Thursday November 12. as he came from Chilton, the Apparition met him again, and stood (about eight foot) directly before him, and said with a loud voice, Thomas, bid William Avon take the Sword which he had of me, which is now in his House, and carry to the wood as we go to Alton to the upper end of the wood by the ways side, for with that sword I did wrong above thirty years ago, & he never prospered since •was his.