The Impossibility of Witchcraft, Plainly Proving: from Scripture and Reason, That There Never Was a Witch; . in Which the Depositions Against Jane Wenham, . Are Confuted and Expos'd

Francis Bragge

ISBN 10: 0461372193 / ISBN 13: 9780461372199

Published by HardPress, 2019

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Seller Inventory # 18403793854

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Impossibility of Witchcraft, Plainly Proving: from Scripture and Reason, That There Never Was a Witch; . in Which the Depositions Against Jane Wenham, . Are Confuted and Expos'd
• Publisher: HardPress
• Publication Date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0461372193
• ISBN 13: 9780461372199
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

The Impossibility Of Witchcraft, Plainly Proving: From Scripture And Reason, That There Never Was A Witch;. In Which The Depositions Against Jane Wenham,. Are Confuted And Expos'D is a polemical pamphlet by Francis Bragge that argues there is no witchcraft and that the Hertford trial was flawed. Bragge contends that belief in witches arose from heathen myths and later papal inquisitions, questions witness reliability and coerced confessions, and challenges scriptural readings used to justify witch-hunts. He examines the deposition accounts, Preface, and Appendix to critique the evidence for witchcraft and to show that the supposed phenomena lack rational basis. The work situates a broader argument about superstition, law, and religion in early 18th-century England, calling for a cautious and rational approach to claims of witchcraft rather than sensational accusations. The 1712 London edition is reproduced here in modern formats for readers studying the history of witchcraft belief and its legal consequences.