Cover of The wonders of the invisible world observations as well historical as

Classic Christian work

The wonders of the invisible world observations as well historical as

by Mather, Cotton

Written amid the Salem witch trials, this 1693 treatise by Cotton Mather weaves theological discourse with courtroom drama. Expounding Revelation 12:12, Mather argues that the devil's great wrath — knowing his time is short — has descended upon New England in an extraordinary wave of witchcraft. He surveys methods for detecting witches, presents trial transcripts of the condemned, and offers eschatological hope: the very intensity of Satan's assault signals his imminent defeat and the coming golden age for Christ's church.
Chapters
3
Word count
36,418
Type
Treatise
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Table of contents

  1. 01 The Author's Defence 963 words
  2. 02 Enchantments Encountered 8,016 words
  3. 03 A Discourse on the Wonders of the Invisible World 27,215 words
Front matter (2 sections)

Title Page

The Wonders of the Invisible World.

OBSERVATIONS as well historical as theological, upon the nature, the number, and the operations of the devils.

Accompany'd with,

1. Some accounts of the grievous molestations, by daemons and witchcrafts, which have lately annoy'd the countrey; and the trials of some eminent malefactors executed upon occasion thereof: with several remarkable curiosities therein occurring.

2. Some counsils, directing a due improvement of the terrible things, lately done, by the unusual & amazing range of evil spirits, in our neighbourhood: & the methods to prevent the wrongs which those evil angels may intend against all sorts of people among us; especially in accusations of the innocent.

3. Some conjectures upon the great events, likely to befall, the world in general, and New-England in particular; as also upon the advances of the time, when we shall see better dayes.

4. A short narrative of a late outrage committed by a knot of witches in Swedeland, very much resembling, and so far explaining, that under which our parts of America have laboured!

5. THE DEVIL DISCOVERED: In a brief discourse upon those temptations, which are the more ordinary devices, of the Wicked One.

By Cotton Mather.

Boston Printed, and Sold by Benjamin Harris, 1693.

Imprimatur

Published by the Special Command of His Excellency, the Governour of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England.

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