On Witchcraft

by Cotton Mather

Book Overview

The famous 18th-century minister of Boston's Old North Church provides readers with guidelines for discovering witches, explains how good Christians are tempted, and describes how to resist such temptation. 15 woodcuts.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486444139
• ISBN13: 9780486444130
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A First-Hand Account

The great Boston minister Cotton Mather literally believed, in 1692, that the Devil was fighting to get converts in Salem and other Massachusetts towns, as a desperate means to save his empire in the New World from Christianity. Mather also believed the fantastic tesimony of the witch-accusers which he recounts in Cotton Mather on Witch craft. In this strange book, which was written to justify the Salem witch-trials, the credulous divine tells the reader how to discover Witches; how good Christians are tempted b ythe Devil to become Witches; and how to resist temptations. He also gives testimony from a number of the trials, stories of Witchcraft in other countries in other times, and explanations of the Devil's dilemma in coping with Christianity. This is the first re-issue of this scarce and famous work in the present century. It is the first of a series of limited editions, The Library of the Fantasic and Curious, to be published by the Peter Pauper Press at moderate prices for students and lovers of the fantastic and bizarre. --from book's dustjacket

Wonders of the Invisible World

This is a reprint of Cotton Mather's famous treatise, "The Wonders of the Invisible World", first published in 1693 as a defense of his position during the infamous Salem Witch Trials the year before which saw 19 people executed for practicing witchcraft. it has long been held as an important piece of early American literature and also as evidence of Puritanical superstition and credulity. Mather was a devoted Anglican minister who completely believed in the existence of witches and demons and warned of the dangers posed to New England's "New Jerusalem" by the Archfiend Satan himself. Mather was a direct witness to the happenings at Salem and here provides a fascinating account of the goings on at Salem, including the examinations of the accused and the "beweitched" girls who accused them during the Court of Oyer and Terminer. Mather was forced to defend his support for the trials amidst growing skepticism concerning witchcraft in the closing years of the 17th century and this book is largely a result of the critcism leveled at him after the close of the trials. Mather was heavily influenced by other earlier demonologists in his writings, particularly Joseph Glanvill, author of the famous "Sadducismus Triumphatus". Mather's writings on witchcraft are interesting not only for the information they give us about the Salem Trials, but also for the the image they give us of the fear and superstition that still existed in Puritan New England at the time. Although belief in witches and demons was slowly fading away, it was not quite dead, and we have Reverend Mather in part to thank for that.

Beware of the Title

Ok, this is NOT my most favorite book for the Salem Witch Trials, simply because it does not have a whole lot on "my family" in it and the wording is bothersome after awhile...BUT...I have to be honest, it is a must to have Cotton Mather's perscpective during that time for he was the Boston Minister that was present at the trials when the victims were convicted.This book contains "How Good Christians are tempted", "how to reist temptation", testimony from a few of the trials, stories on witchcraft in other countries and times, and things about the Devil versus Christianity.It is also written in the way they spoke and wrote in 1692. The spellings of words are very different and they use different terms as well. Examples: hereupon, heretofor, tryal, joyning, choaked, etc...This is just a warning, for those who may not like a whole book written in such away.Personally it was a must for my Salem Library, but it is NOT for everybody.

Magical! Spell-binding!

This classic is a must-read for anyone who suspects a co-worker, friend, or loved one of being possessed by spirits. Discusses the most common symptoms, including torments and temptations more vivid than anything on Jerry Springer. And the trials! -- John Grisham never had cases like these. I have a "spectral vision" that you're going to love this wickedly good book.