The displaying of supposed witchcraft : Wherein is affirmed that there are…

The displaying of supposed witchcraft : Wherein is affirmed that there are many sorts of deceivers and impostors, and divers persons under a passive delusion of melancholy and fancy. But that there is a corporeal league made betwixt the devil and the witch, or that he sucks on the witches body, has carnal copulation, or that witches are turned into cats, dogs, raise tempests, or the like, is utterly denied and disproved. Wherein also is handled, the existence of angels and spirits, the truth of apparitions, the nature of astral and sydereal spirits, the force of charms, and philters; with other abstruse matters

2024-11-08T16:55:59Z

This edition had all images removed.

LoC No.: 11009011

Title: The displaying of supposed witchcraft : Wherein is affirmed that there are many sorts of deceivers and impostors, and divers persons under a passive delusion of melancholy and fancy. But that there is a corporeal league made betwixt the devil and the witch, or that he sucks on the witches body, has carnal copulation, or that witches are turned into cats, dogs, raise tempests, or the like, is utterly denied and disproved. Wherein also is handled, the existence of angels and spirits, the truth of apparitions, the nature of astral and sydereal spirits, the force of charms, and philters; with other abstruse matters

Original Publication: London: J. M., 1676, pubdate 1677.

Note: Reading ease score: 46.6 (College-level). Difficult to read.

Credits: Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https: //www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Summary: "The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft" by John Webster is a treatise on the nature of witchcraft and its misconceptions, written in the late 17th century. The work contemplates the phenomenon of witchcraft, with an emphasis on separating the reality of deceitful practices from the superstitions that have historically surrounded them. Webster seeks to clarify misconceptions surrounding witches, refuting widely held beliefs such as witches' alleged powers to transform and their supposed dealings with the devil. The opening of the treatise establishes Webster's intent to dismantle prevalent myths regarding witchcraft and illustrates his dedication to presenting an informed and logical argument against the superstitions that plagued society. He discusses the unjust accusations faced by learned individuals who challenged the status quo surrounding witchcraft. Through a rational lens, Webster sets out to explore the definitions, beliefs, and the societal implications of these misconceptions, aiming to lend clarity to a subject often clouded by fear and ignorance. His dedication to dispelling these myths aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of witchcraft, highlighting the dangerous consequences of false accusations and the importance of discernment. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Author: Webster, John, 1611-1682

EBook No.: 72654

Published: Jan 7, 2024

Downloads: 152

Language: English

Subject: Witchcraft

Subject: Witchcraft -- Early works to 1800

LoCC: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Psychology, Philosophy, Psychoanalysis

Category: Text

Rights: Public domain in the USA.

The displaying of supposed witchcraft : Wherein is affirmed that there are many sorts of deceivers and impostors, and divers persons under a passive delusion of melancholy and fancy. But that there is a corporeal league made betwixt the devil and the witch, or that he sucks on the witches body, has carnal copulation, or that witches are turned into cats, dogs, raise tempests, or the like, is utterly denied and disproved. Wherein also is handled, the existence of angels and spirits, the truth of apparitions, the nature of astral and sydereal spirits, the force of charms, and philters; with other abstruse matters