William Perkins
Description
William Perkins was a 16th century Puritan preacher and theologian. This little book, explaining the practices and dangers of witchcraft, provide us w
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ith an insight into the way people thought about witchcraft a few centuries ago. First, it shows clearly that there were some people in that day who were trying to practice witchcraft, and for malevolent purposes. It helps us understand why authorities felt responsible to investigate. Second, this "discourse" of Perkins's shows that Christian leaders were not merely swept up in a superstitious fervor - there was a carefully thought-out theory behind the anti-witch activity of their day.
The original text of this volume has been newly typeset, but the archaic spellings have been left mostly in place (except in a few places where the meaning might be obscured). A modern reader should find the book very accessible.
CONTENTS:
1. Of the Nature of Witchcraft.
2. The Ground of Witchcraft, and of All the Practices Thereof.
3. Of the Kinds of Witchcraft, and First of Divination.
4. Of Operative, or Working, Witchcraft.
5. What Witches Be, and of How Many Sorts.
6. Of the Punishment of Witches.
7. The Application of the Doctrine of Witchcraft to Our Times.
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