An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

All this while William Avon remained where Goddard left him, and said he saw no Apparition, only heard Goddard speak to the Spectre, and discerned another voice also, making Reply to Goddard's enquiries, but could not understand the words uttered by that voice. The next day the Mayor caused men to dig in the place where the Spectre said the Body was buried, but nothing could ⟨p. 239⟩be found. These examples then, show that the Ghosts of Dead men do sometimes appear, and that for such causes as those mentioned. There have been some in the world so desperate as to make solemn Covenants with their living Friends, to appear unto them after their Death; and sometimes (though not always) it hath so come to pass. It is a Remarkable passage which Baronius relates concerning Marsilius Ficinus, and his great Intimate Michael Mercatus. These two having been warmly Disputing about the immortality of the Soul, entered into a solemn Vow, that if there were truth in those Notions about a future State in another World, he which died first should appear to his surviving Friend. Not long after this, Ficinus Died. On a morning when Mercatus was intent upon his Studies, he heard the voice of Ficinus his Friend at his Window with a loud cry, saying, O Michael, Michael, Vera, vera sunt illa: O my Friend Michael, those notions about the Souls of Men being immortal they are true, they are true. Whereupon, Mercatus opened his Window, and saw his Friend Marsilius Ficinus, whom he called unto, but he vanished away. He presently sent to Florence to know how Ficinus did, and was informed that he Died about the hour when ⟨p. 240⟩his Ghost appeared at Mercatus his Window. There are also later Instances, and nearer home, not altogether unlike to this. For in Mr. Glanvil's late Collection of Relation, (which we have had occasion more than once to mention.) It is said, that Dr. Farrar and his Daughter, made a compact, that the first of them which Died, if happy, should after Death appear to the survivor if possible; his Daughter with some difficulty consenting to the agreement. Some time after, the Daughter living then near Salisbury, fell in Labour, and having by an unhappy mistake a noxious Potion given to her, instead of another prepared, suddenly Died. That very night she appeared in the room where her Father then Lodged in London, and opening the Curtains looked upon him.

All this while William Avon remained where Goddard left him, and said he saw no Apparition, only heard Goddard speak to the Spectre, and discerned another voice also, making Reply to Goddard's enquiries, but could not understand the words uttered by that voice. The next day the Mayor caused men to dig in the place where the Spectre said the Body was buried, but nothing could