On Witchcraft: Being The Wonders Of The Invisible World 1692

Name: On Witchcraft: Being The Wonders Of The Invisible World 1692
Price: 40.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Mather, Cotton
ISBN: 9781494157234

✍️ Mather, Cotton

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unearth the chilling fervor of the Salem witch trials through the eyes of its most ardent accuser.

Cotton Mather's "On Witchcraft" offers an unparalleled glimpse into the spiritual and social anxieties of 17th-century colonial America. This seminal work compiles the prominent Puritan minister's sermons and essays, meticulously detailing his perspectives on the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692. Mather, a devout believer in the tangible reality of the Devil and his earthly agents, provides a fervent theological framework for understanding and combating witchcraft. It serves as an essential primary document, revealing the intense religious convictions and cultural climate that culminated in one of American history's most haunting episodes.

Key themes

{'title': 'Puritan Theology & Evil', 'body': "Mather's work deeply explores the Puritan worldview, where the Devil and his minions are ever-present threats. He meticulously outlines the theological underpinnings of witchcraft, presenting it not merely as superstition but as a very real, insidious attack on God's chosen people, requiring vigilant identification and severe retribution."} {'title': 'Salem Trials Documentation', 'body': "Beyond theological discourse, the book offers unique insights into the Salem witch trials themselves. Mather includes accounts and observations from the proceedings, filtered through his own interpretative lens. It's a crucial, albeit biased, historical record of the events, providing a contemporary perspective on the accusations and the ensuing legal processes."} {'title': 'Identifying & Punishing Witches', 'body': "A significant portion of Mather's writing is dedicated to the perceived nature of witches and methods for their discovery and judgment. He delves into what constituted evidence of witchcraft within the Puritan framework, advocating for strict adherence to religious law to cleanse the community of what he viewed as demonic infestation."}

🏛 Literary Licensing, LLC 📅 2014 📖 174 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9781494157234

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Fun fact

This unvarnished reprinting of Mather's original text serves as an invaluable primary source for understanding the Salem tragedy from a contemporary perspective. It excels in showcasing the theological justifications for witch hunts, offering an unfiltered look into the period's psyche. Readers seeking a balanced, objective history of the trials may find Mather's fervent bias challenging. Yet, as a cornerstone document in American religious and occult history, it provides essential context for the complex interplay of faith, fear, and power.

📝 Description: On Witchcraft: Being The Wonders Of The Invisible World 1692

On Witchcraft: Being The Wonders Of The Invisible World 1692 is a book written by Cotton Mather, a prominent Puritan minister in colonial America. The book is a compilation of Mather's sermons and writings on the subject of witchcraft, particularly the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692. Mather was a strong believer in the reality of witchcraft and the existence of the devil, and his writings reflect his deeply held religious convictions. The book includes accounts of the trials, as well as Mather's own thoughts on the nature of witchcraft and how to identify and punish witches. Mather's writing is characterized by his fervent belief in the supernatural and his passionate defense of the Puritan faith. On Witchcraft is an important historical document that provides insight into the religious and cultural beliefs of colonial America, as well as the events that led to one of the most notorious episodes in American history. This Is A New Release Of The Original 1692 Edition. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

⭐ Reader reviews

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⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.8/5

★★★★★

If you are drawn to the darker currents of history, the intersection of fervent faith and societal panic, or the origins of American occult lore, this volume is indispensable. It's a challenging, yet rewarding read for anyone seeking to understand the mindset that fueled the Salem tragedy.

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❓ Frequently asked questions

This edition is a faithful facsimile reprint of the original 1692 publication, preserving Cotton Mather's exact words and the raw immediacy of his perspective.

Mather was a staunch believer in the reality of witchcraft and actively supported the prosecution of accused individuals, viewing it as a holy duty to combat the Devil's influence.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Puritan Theology & Evil

Mather's work deeply explores the Puritan worldview, where the Devil and his minions are ever-present threats. He meticulously outlines the theological underpinnings of witchcraft, presenting it not merely as superstition but as a very real, insidious attack on God's chosen people, requiring vigilant identification and severe retribution.

Salem Trials Documentation

Beyond theological discourse, the book offers unique insights into the Salem witch trials themselves. Mather includes accounts and observations from the proceedings, filtered through his own interpretative lens. It's a crucial, albeit biased, historical record of the events, providing a contemporary perspective on the accusations and the ensuing legal processes.

Identifying & Punishing Witches

A significant portion of Mather's writing is dedicated to the perceived nature of witches and methods for their discovery and judgment. He delves into what constituted evidence of witchcraft within the Puritan framework, advocating for strict adherence to religious law to cleanse the community of what he viewed as demonic infestation.

💬 Quotes from the book

«The Devil, a roaring lion, ceaselessly prowls our earthly domain, seeking whom he may devour, his dark agents manifesting amongst us.»

«To suffer a witch to live is an abomination in the sight of God; diligence in their discovery and swift justice is our sacred duty.»

📜 Historical context

Published in the immediate aftermath of the Salem witch trials, Mather's work stands as a cornerstone of early American religious and legal thought concerning witchcraft. It reflects a broader European tradition of demonology while simultaneously shaping colonial American attitudes towards deviance and divine justice, serving as both a product and an influencer of its tumultuous era.

📚 Glossary

Puritanism
Spectral Evidence
Colonial America

📔 Questions to reflect on

How did the fervent religious beliefs of the Puritans shape their understanding of justice and evil, particularly in the context of witchcraft?
Consider the power of collective fear and authoritative voices, like Mather's, in influencing public perception and legal outcomes during periods of crisis.
Reflect on how this historical account challenges or confirms your own understanding of spirituality, justice, and the occult throughout history.