Cotton Mather

Robert Calef

The Witchcraft Delusion in New England in three volumes is a book relating the Salem witch trials of 1692-1693. It presents the compilation of works on the subject by Cotton Mather, a Puritan minister involved in trials and Robert Calef who opposed Mather. After the trials Mather published the book Wonders of the Invisible World which contained a few of Mather's sermons, the conditions of the colony and a description of witch trials in Europe. He argued that since there are witches and devils, there are "immortal souls." He also claimed that witches appear spectrally as themselves. Calef's response was the book More Wonders of the Invisible World in which he denounced Mather's preaches. The Witchcraft Delusion in New England contains both of those works with the analysis and additional materials which provide a detailed look on the subject of witchcraft.

The Witchcraft Delusion in New England (The Complete Three-Volume Edition)

Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Complete Edition)

The Witchcraft Delusion in New England (Vol. 1-3)

The Witchcraft in New England in three volumes is a book relating the Salem witch trials of 1692-1693. It presents the compilation of works on the subject by Cotton Mather, a Puritan minister involved in trials and Robert Calef who opposed Mather. After the trials Mather published the book Wonders of the Invisible World which contained a few of Mather's sermons, the conditions of the colony and a description of witch trials in Europe. He argued that since there are witches and devils, there are "immortal souls." He also claimed that witches appear spectrally as themselves. Calef's response was the book More Wonders of the Invisible World in which he denounced Mather's preaches. The Witchcraft Delusion in New England contains both of those works with the analysis and additional materials which provide a detailed look on the subject of witchcraft.

The Witchcraft in New England

At first, Voices against Witchcraft were faint and few. Such was the Bewilderment of the human Mind in early Ages that Men hardly dared to think in Opposition to the Superstitions of the Multitude. Yet there were always some who doubted the delegated Power of the Devil, though they were not often lavish enough of their own Safety to let their Disbelief be known. Still, there are, no Doubt, some "dark Corners of the Earth" where it would not be entirely safe for one to declare publicly that there is no such Matter as Witchcraft. Nor is this so much to be wondered at, when, at the present Day, and in a Portion of our own Country, a Man cannot speak against Slavery, but at the Peril of his Life. This is no new Aspect growing out of the present Rebellion, but it has been thus many Years. Few Men dared to speak boldly against the Existence of Witchcraft before the Year 1700. Though they disbelieved in it they were afraid to attack it. They began by endeavouring to show the Insufficiency of the Evidence relied upon in particular Cases. In this Way, Frauds were detected and exposed, and the Eyes of Judges were opened. Among the early and successful Combatants of Witchcraft in England was Sir Robert Filmer. This Gentleman, though he out-went Machiavel himself in Arguments to uphold Despotism, yet he entered a pretty effectual Demurrer against the Prerogative of the Devil, as attempted to be manifested in the Persons of aged Matrons. Lancashire was distinguished above all other Counties in England in Sir Robert's Time for its Production of Witches; but when his native County, Kent, was scourged by the imaginary Arts of Satan, he thought it Time to make a public Declaration of his Views in Regard to the Nature of the Evidence made Use of for the Conviction of Witches. He therefore prepared a Treatise which he entitled "An Advertisement to the Jury-men of England, touching Witches," printed in 1680, but whether it was ever printed before does not appear from this Impression. In this Work he criticises the Productions of some of the prominent Authors in Favor of Witchcraft with much Ability.

Robert Calef

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