Page:Saducismus Triumphatus.djvu/362

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RELAT. XVII.

Of a Dutch Man that could see Ghosts, and of the Ghost he saw in the Town of Woodbrige in Suffolk,

Mr. Broom the Minister of Woodbridge in Suffolk, meeting one day, in a Barber's-shop in that Town, a Dutch Lieutenant (who was blown up with Opdam, and taken alive out of the Water, and carried to that Town, where he was a Prisoner at large) upon the occasion of some discourse was told by him, that he could see Ghosts, and that he had seen divers. Mr. Broom rebuking him for talking so idly he persisted in it very stifly. Some days after lighting upon him again, he askt him whether he had seen any Ghost since his coming to that Town. To which he replyed, No.

But not long after this, as they were walking together up the Town, he said to Mr. Broom, Yonder comes a Ghost. He seeing nothing, askt him where about it was? The other said, it is over against such a house, and it walks looking upwards towards such a side, flinging one Arm with a Glove in its hand. He said moreover, that when it came near them, they must give way to it. That he ever did so, and some that have not done so, have suffered for it. Anon he said, 'tis just upon us, let's out of the way. Mr. Broom believing all to be a fiction, as soon as he said those words, took hold of his Arm, and kept him by force in the way. But as he held him, there came such a force against them, that he was flung into the middle of the street, and one of the Palms of his hands, and one knee bruised and broken by the fall, which put him for a while to excessive pain.

But spying the Lieutenant lye like a dead Man, he got up as soon as he could, and applied himself to his relief. With the help of others he got him into the next shop, where they poured strong water down his Throat, but for some time could discern no Life in him. At length, what with the strong water, and what with well chafing him he began to stir, and when he was come to himself, his first words were, I will shew you no more Ghosts. Then he desired a Pipe of Tobacco, but Mr. Broom