On Witchcraft: Being the Wonders of the Invisible World 1692

Name: On Witchcraft: Being the Wonders of the Invisible World 1692
Price: 28.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Mather, Cotton
ISBN: 9781497970403

✍️ Mather, Cotton

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Uncover the chilling arguments that fueled the infamous Salem witch trials.

This faithful reproduction of Cotton Mather's infamous 1692 treatise offers a direct window into the fervent religious and cultural anxieties that gripped colonial America. Delving into the alleged wonders of the invisible world, Mather meticulously catalogs accusations and theological justifications for the persecution of those deemed witches. It stands as a pivotal, albeit controversial, historical document, revealing the intellectual underpinnings of an era marked by fear, superstition, and tragic judicial errors. Essential reading for understanding early American spiritual thought and the dark side of its societal fabric.

Key themes

{'title': 'Witchcraft in Colonial America', 'body': 'Explore the deeply ingrained Puritanical interpretations of spiritual warfare and diabolical influence that permeated early American society. Mather’s work illuminates how these beliefs shaped public perception, legal proceedings, and the collective fear of the unseen, providing insight into the cultural anxieties of the period.'} {'title': 'Theological Justifications for Persecution', 'body': "This text dissects the intricate theological arguments Mather employed to validate the existence of witchcraft and the necessity of its eradication. It reveals how scripture and contemporary religious doctrines were manipulated to support the accusations and subsequent trials, offering a stark look at religious authority's power."} {'title': 'Primary Historical Account', 'body': 'As a direct reprint of the 1692 original, this book serves as an unparalleled primary source for understanding the Salem witch trials. It provides unvarnished insight into the mindset of a key figure who influenced the tragic events, making it indispensable for historians and scholars of American colonial history.'}

🏛 Literary Licensing, LLC 📅 2014 📖 174 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781497970403

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Fun fact

This unvarnished reprint of Mather's 1692 treatise is essential for scholars and serious students of American colonial history and religious thought. While it offers unparalleled insight into the Puritan mindset during the Salem witch trials, readers seeking a balanced or sympathetic view of the accused will find it frustratingly biased. It stands as a chilling testament to the power of fear and dogma, a crucial, if uncomfortable, piece in American spiritual history.

📝 Description: On Witchcraft: Being the Wonders of the Invisible World 1692

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1692 Edition.

⭐ Reader reviews

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⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you are fascinated by the darker currents of history, the origins of American religious fervor, or the legacy of the Salem witch trials, this book is indispensable. It offers a raw, unfiltered look, challenging readers to confront the roots of mass hysteria and persecution.

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❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is a faithful reprint of Cotton Mather's original 1692 text. It presents an authentic, historical perspective on witchcraft as understood and feared in Puritan New England, not a contemporary or neo-pagan view.

Absolutely not. Mather's work is a polemic against witchcraft, detailing what he believed to be its dangers and how to combat it from a strict Puritanical standpoint. It is a text of condemnation, not promotion.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Witchcraft in Colonial America

Explore the deeply ingrained Puritanical interpretations of spiritual warfare and diabolical influence that permeated early American society. Mather’s work illuminates how these beliefs shaped public perception, legal proceedings, and the collective fear of the unseen, providing insight into the cultural anxieties of the period.

Theological Justifications for Persecution

This text dissects the intricate theological arguments Mather employed to validate the existence of witchcraft and the necessity of its eradication. It reveals how scripture and contemporary religious doctrines were manipulated to support the accusations and subsequent trials, offering a stark look at religious authority's power.

Primary Historical Account

As a direct reprint of the 1692 original, this book serves as an unparalleled primary source for understanding the Salem witch trials. It provides unvarnished insight into the mindset of a key figure who influenced the tragic events, making it indispensable for historians and scholars of American colonial history.

💬 Quotes from the book

«The invisible world doth often invade the visible, and the Devil, with his infernal legions, walketh among us, seeking whom he may devour.»

«It is a solemn duty laid upon all magistrates and ministers to diligently seek out and punish those who have entered into covenant with the Prince of Darkness.»

📜 Historical context

Published amidst the Salem witch hysteria, Mather's work is deeply rooted in Puritan theology and the pervasive belief in direct satanic intervention. It stands as a significant document within the tradition of demonological treatises, influencing public opinion and judicial actions when supernatural beliefs held immense sway over colonial life.

📚 Glossary

Puritanism
Demonology
Spectral Evidence

📔 Questions to reflect on

How do Mather's arguments reflect the societal anxieties and religious doctrines of his time, and what parallels, if any, can be drawn to modern forms of mass hysteria or persecution?
Considering the historical context, how might Mather's work have been perceived by different segments of colonial society (e.g., accusers, accused, authorities, common folk)?
In what ways does this primary source challenge or confirm your understanding of the Salem witch trials and the broader history of witchcraft beliefs?