the Copse vanished, he saw it no more. Whereupon Goddard and his Brother-in-Law Avon leaving the Sword there, and coming away together, Avon told Goddard he heard his voice, and understood what he said, and heard other words distinct from his, but could not understand a word of it, not saw any Apparition at all. Which he now also present affirmeth, and all which the said Goddard then attested under his hand, and affirmed he will depose the same when he shall be thereto required.
In the Presence of Christ. Lypyatt, Maior, Rolf Bayly, Town-Clerk, Joshua Sacheverel, Rector of St. Peters in Marlsborough.
Examined by me,
Will. Bayly.
ADVERTISEMENT.
THat Tho. Goddard saw this Apparition, seems to be a thing undubitable; but whether it was his Father in laws Ghost, that is more questionable. The former is confirmed from an Hand at least impartial, if not disfavourable to the Story. The party in his Letter to Mr. G— Writes briefly to this effect. 1. That he does verily think that this Tho. Goddard does believe the Story most strongly himself. 2. That he cannot imagine what interest he should have in raising such a Story, he bringing Infamy on his Wives Father, and obliging himself to pay 20 s. Debt, which his Poverty could very ill spare. 3. That his Father in law Edward Avon, was a resolute sturdy Fellow in his young Years, and many Years a Bailif to Arrest People. 4. That Tho. Goddard had the repute of an honest Man, knew as much in Religion as most of his Rank and Breeding, and was a constant frequenter of the Church, till about a Year before this happened to him, he fell off wholly to the Non-Conformists.
All this hitherto, save this last of all, tends to the Confirmation of the Story. Therefore this last shall be the first Allegation against the credibility thereof. 2 It is farther alleged, That possibly the design of the Story may be to make him to be accounted an extraordinary Some-body among the Dissenting Party. 3 That he is some-
