The Wonders of the Invisible World Being an Account of the Tryals of Several Witches Lately Executed in New-England, to which is added A Farther Account of the Tryals of the New-England Witches

by Cotton Mather, Increase Mather

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Genres: History, Nonfiction, Classics, Witches, Historical, Horror, Witchcraft

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1693

About the author

Cotton Mather A.B. 1678 (Harvard College), A.M. 1681; honorary doctorate 1710 (University of Glasgow), was a socially and politically influential New England Puritan minister, prolific author, and pamphleteer. Cotton Mather was the son of influential minister Increase Mather. He is often remembered for his connection to the Salem witch trials.

Mather was named after his grandfathers, both paternal (Richard Mather) and maternal (John Cotton). He attended Boston Latin School, and graduated from Harvard in 1678, at only 16 years of age. After completing his post-graduate work, he joined his father as assistant Pastor of Boston's original North Church (not to be confused with the Anglican/Episcopal Old North Church). It was not until his father's death, in 1723, that Mather assumed full responsibilities as Pastor at the Church.

Author of more than 450 books and pamphlets, Cotton Mather's ubiquitous literary works made him one of the most influential religious leaders in America. Mather set the nation's "moral tone," and sounded the call for second and third generation Puritans, whose parents had left England for the New England colonies of North America to return to the theological roots of Puritanism.

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really interesting to read. Cotton Mather wrote something stemming from a staunch position firmly against witchcraft and The Devil. The writing was difficult to read at times and clearly reflects the times of anti-witch and anti-witchcraft. Mather voiced a lot of ideas and arguments to purge the ranks of the Children of Cain. He explained the Devil is everywhere and can tempt us into evil anywhere: in our thoughts, our hearts, and our actions.

This particular edition I read was a numbered and limited hardcover published by Hexenhammer Books. It was a gift from Etsy and is top-notch quality: thick paper, fine design, older block-lettering in some places, and the old double-S from Middle English.




This was a fascinating book that gave an additional glimpse into the witchcraft trials of Salem, Massachusetts. Though hard to read and archaic in form, I would recommend this in addition to The Malleus Maleficarum. Thanks!

[Mya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The wonders of this book are no longer wonders but a sense of firm beliefs of a man desperately trying to save his people from the "invisible world."

[Pinkerton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un mix di falsa umiltà e malcelato disprezzo, tipici di chi ha l’arroganza di ritenersi ciecamente nel giusto. Come, ad esempio, il fatto che la presenza del maligno sia così manifesta in certi luoghi proprio perché è lì che viene maggiormente aborrito, e si getta quindi con furore nel tentativo di minare l’integrità di queste stoiche comunità timorate di Dio.
Pur nell’ottica di un contesto che ammette l’operato di Satana con diavolacci annessi, le premesse sembrerebbero “ragionevoli”. Ovvero la necessità di prove concrete, un’attenta analisi delle accuse e delle motivazioni che potrebbero nascondersi dietro gli accusatori, ecc… Peccato però che sorgano poi le eccezioni: se a muovere tali accuse sono persone che godono della cosiddetta “buona reputazione” la necessità di prove viene meno. Alcune prove poi sono intangibili come la natura del male stesso che le perpetra, pertanto vanno considerate concrete ed inconfutabili in virtù di un bene superiore. E altre cose di questo genere… insomma eccezioni che, la storia insegna, divengono esse stesse la regola.
Si passa poi alla presa in esame di alcuni specifici casi, il piatto forte del volume, per ammissione dello stesso autore:
“Ma non tratterrò più i miei lettori dall’intrattenimento che si attendono dal breve resoconto dei processi per stregoneria che si sono tenuti di recente contro alcuni malfattori condannati e giustiziati a Salem”.



A cui Mather non ha assistito personalmente e si basa quindi su una sintesi degli atti processuali che gli è stata fornita. Procedimenti presi a campione, verso cui si dice assolutamente non prevenuto e rispecchiare fedelmente la realtà, che gli è stato imposto di inserire all’interno della propria pubblicazione al fine di “suscitare una pia gratitudine verso Dio per una tale applicazione della giustizia”.
Da cui emerge tutto il paradossale bigottismo di cui sono intrisi questi processi dove il loro fine giustifica i loro mezzi. (Questo, guarda caso, vale solo finché non si tira in ballo qualcuno di ben ammanicato… a quanto pare ancora una volta potere secolare > potere spirituale).
Tocca successivamente ad un estratto dell’opera di Mather, Magnalia Christi Americana, non dissimle da quanto prima: Vaneggiamenti e isterismi collettivi dettati dalla paura e palesemente radicati in rancori personali. Però, però, c’è una sorta di ammissione dell’essere caduti in errore di fronte a tali eccessi di “zelo”. E lo sapete di chi è la colpa? Beh, ma è naturale, anzi, innaturale, sempre lui: “La Nuova Inghilterra, dunque, non è il solo luogo ad avere subito il raggiro delle insidie del malvagio e astuto serpente”.
Lettura che, al di là dell’ideologia rappresentata, si è rivelata pesante per la ripetitività, concetti portati avanti col paraocchi, espressi probabilmente con la stessa perentorietà delle tavole di Mosè, ma che spesso e volentieri sono andati ad incartarsi… uscendone grazie ad escamotage degni di Don Zauker.

[Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crazy shit

[Gabie Peacock · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
I am honestly struggling with how to rate/review this book. I really do think that Cotton Mather made earnest attempts of trying to handle the Salem witch trials in a Godly way. He seemed to try to make sense of everything that happened, condemned what he believed was sinful, and warned against familiarizing with devils. However, ultimately, I think he fails to justify so much of the torture and killing of (many) genuinely innocent people. I see the witch trials as a cautionary tale against gossip and false accusations against brethren. Many lessons are to be learned here. I love the Puritans, but they had blind spots, and this one was deadly.

[Luis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavily religious (of course) writing on witches written by Cotton and Increase Mather. The most interesting part is when Cotton discusses the trials which occurred in Salem or provides tidbits of other trials and experiences he has heard of. At times, the religious writing is hard to understand given its grammatical structure and rambling.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have only read three of the trials/accounts in this book, and I doubt I will read any more. If not for the module I am doing in university I would not have known about this book, and would have ignorantly ignored it, but I am glad I have read it. It is well written, even if I dislike the writer and the trials and everything about it makes me angry and sad, it is still an interesting read. I may read the others at a later date, yet I cannot at the moment.

[Äsruþr Cyneaþsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cotton Mather's has been harshly misjudged by many historians. This treatise is a fair and extremely valuable account of the events of 1692. What is more, this treatise clearly indicates a learned man who was attempting to calm the social hysteria of his spatio-temporal locality -- without casting suspicion upon himself as a sympathiser with the accused.

An invaluable historic text.

[J.M. Brister · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, this may be good as a supplement for when my students read The Crucible. However, it is certainly NOT light reading.

[Lisette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get beyond the language and you see a fascinating (and, frankly, scary) look into Puritan ideology and theology...and how these inform their worldview.

[Charles Wagner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Same old, same old

This tract (16920) is difficult reading because it was reproduced directly from original documents and because typefaces have changed substantially since the original printing, and because Mather rambled on about the devil so.

Apparently, the title was based upon Saduscismus Triumphatus by Joseph Granvill and shortly thereafter denounced by Robert Calef in his publication More wonders of the invisible world.

In a rambling way, Mather (1663- 1728) warned of the devil’s one thousand year reign of evil soon to be followed by a thousand years of protestant church rule.

The witches, who were the devil’s tools, were being persecuted in such a way to secure the good deity’s blessings. Mather whined on like a media preacher condemning the Democrats.

At the trials, there apparently no end of ridiculous testimony by nuts against those accused. The testimony was generally taken seriously by educated judges who also seemed to be off their trolley track.

From 1692- 1693, America was truly a nation under god, a cruel Jack T. Chick god, but god all the same.

Unfortunately, the goofiness has not faded away. Media preachers and their lesser paid confederates still babble of spiritual warfare and the angels of Satan, but the time is not yet ripe for further executions.

The witch business also ran wild in Europe and may be one of the factors which caused our founding fathers to write the first Amendment separating church and state.

Mather was an expert on ghosts, Satan and the angels of the devil.

Everyone should take the time to read and reflect upon this title. Kudos to Kessington Publishing for keeping this lengthy tract in print.

[Luke Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

An analysis of the Massachusetts (Salem) witch trials by the Mathers', ministers in Boston. There were dry parts, but the recollection of the accusations, as well as the theological reflections, were absolutely redeeming. Good thoughts:
1. Among those who were knowledgeable of the judges, ministers, and events involved, there was a very strong correlation between belief (or disbelief) in the reality/possibility of witches, and the conclusion that the trials were justly (or unjustly) carried out. Presuppositions (naturalist vs supernaturalist) were shifting, which is perhaps why this has remained a controversial memory.
2. The Puritans in MA were strict, but contrary to their reputation, this was a good thing. The Mathers' show that there was a present self-consciousness regarding superstition and paranoia. Therefore they were able to pave a virtuous middle-way between rationalism and fanaticism.
3. There was a historical perspective very much present due to their historicist interpretation of Revelation, which is particularly insightful. The Mathers' exalt Jesus as the hope for expelling the devil from their godly land.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

In
fine, Have there been Faults on any Side fallen into? Surely,
They have at worst been but the Faults of a well-meaning Ignorance

Sound familiar? Sound, maybe, like something the US President said about a protest where one of the protestors was murdered by a neo-Nazi?


In other words, a justification for the Salem witch trials.

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally, I wouldn't think of reading this book. Through Genealogy research, I discovered that the author is a 1st cousin 10 times removed. I also learned that both my mother and fathers side had ancestors who were "all up and in" the Salem witch trials. I wanted to get a better idea of the mindset during and after the trials. This book is really thick and to be honest I had to DL an audiobook edition because the words were making my eyes go crossways.

[Alecia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Without passing judgment on the accuracy of the text (either conceptually, the witch-determining methods, or specific events), the book was actually quite fascinating & an interesting look into a certain mindset & the historical period.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read from an eye witness to the Salem witch trials. You really begin to understand why everyone was so fearful during this time, and this information was very eye opening. That being said, it is written in old English, and can be very difficult to read in certain places.

[RR · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting account of the author on witchcraft paranoia at the time. Not to be mistaken for a historical, or accurate account, though. Sometimes it is hard to read, and it should be clear that Cotton Mather is not against violence against accused witches and devil worshippers.

[Daniel Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the lightest of reading material, but an important historical document.

[Gustavo Cruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blinded by the beliefs of the era.

[Nate Meshau · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Mathers as a spiritual barometer” 🥱

[Cindy]

It’s hard to rate a book that is defending something as asinine as the execution of people because they were found to be witches.

[Ashleigh Tway · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just.... have a hard time with puritan literature.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

surveyed

[David M Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cotton Mather had a surprising sober approach to spiritual warfare and witchcraft that took the focus off of civil action against accused witches, and pointed it back toward prayer and fasting.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few years ago I read Washington Irving's short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". In the climatic Van Tassel Halloween party Ichabod Crane is reading Cotton Mather's "The Wonders of the Invisible World" to scare the wits out of the young women (and himself) at the party. I was intrigued by the reference and decided that I wanted to read it someday too.

Having just finished "The Wonders of the Invisible World" I can definitely see why it scared the pants off Ichabod Crane and was prime fodder for Arthur Miller's 1952 play "The Crucible", it is the CRAZIEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ. Now, not to toot my own horn but I have read a number of books, however this book is by far the most bizarre and shocking.

Basically, in 1692 after twenty people had been executed in Massachusetts for witchcraft the governor of the colony demanded that Cotton Mather write a report explaining how he knew that these twenty people had actually been witches, that they in fact had been given fair trials, and that the punishment of execution was warranted. So "The Wonders of the Invisible World" reads like the Warren Report, only it is about a lot of really frightening things and you strongly suspect that twenty innocent people were wrongly executed.

I was going to give this book ONE STAR because I was so appalled by what I read. I am ONLY giving it three stars because the book is an excellent example of the social and political thought of the early New England colony.

[Christopher Gage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truthfully different

I must say that the book is having an impact on the environment and the book is of course a good idea. It was going to be a good thing. You must not be biased towards the reading of the book.

[Kateřina]

This was very disturbing to read - to see injustice presented like something logical and reasonable. Mostly for me, it was about how the place and time in which one lives influences their moral judgement.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

fucking ridiculous...

[Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just wanted to read the justification for these events. This book will have to be read again after some time. Hard to read. Got kind of boring, yet still interesting in some weird way!Lol