the wonders of the invisible world by cotton mather

In the process of attempting to reconcile the moral, religious, and scientific contradictions of the event, Mather created a powerful story of colonial New England exceptionalism - a narrative that would become part of the developing culture of the modern United States. It is this high-stakes combination of the righteously justified with the unjustifiable that makes Mather's account so perversely compelling: 'like a criminal who protests his innocence, the more he scribbled, the more he disclosed' (Miller 201). Evil, in which the Puritans are uniquely suited to triumph. He frames their community struggles into an epic narrative of Good vs. Indeed, Mather's description of the Trials reads as a defense of his own religious views, and of the larger Puritan society. Before the Salem Witch Trials, Cotton Mather had already established himself as a leading voice in the investigation of witchcraft within the New England Puritan community contemporaries like Robert Calef argued that Mather's 1689 book MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 'conduced much to the kindling of those Flames' of the Trials (MORE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD, 152). The scarce first London edition of the most famous contemporary account of the Salem Witch Trials. Text collates A2, B2, B-H4.Condition: Very good. These events went a long way in establishing the theology of Puritan control over New England and, in the ongoing debate, America's own origin story. Cotton Mather appointed the chief prosecutor himself, and in writing their early history, he managed to convey a hysteria towards the 'witches', nineteen of whom were hanged. It has been deeply influential in the vast and ongoing scholarly debate over the Salem witch trials. Note: this work is the most rare and influential of the books and tracts that Cotton Mather and his father, Increase, wrote together. of advertisements to rear, g2, some trimming, loss to the catchwords at C4 and F1, and partially to some words at G2.) 19th century calf (spine worn, upper cover detached). (Marginal damp-stain to half-title and to F1-G2, browning, small marginal paper repairs to three rear leaves, lacking 2pp.

Third edition, 4to (194 x 141mm.) Title with black lettering, black borders, half-title.

Printed first at Boston in New England, and reprinted at London for John Dunton at the Raven in the Poultry, 1693. The Wonders of the Invisible World: Being an Account of the Tryals of Several Witches Lately Executed in New-England and of Several Remarkable Curiosities therein Occurring.

The wonders of the invisible world by cotton mather