Cotton
Mather was a religious man, who was blamed for the Salem witch
trials. However that result was not what he wanted. He had a vision in
1686 the “the whole Plat of the Devil against New England in every branch
of it…” He concluded that witchcraft and devil followers were common
place in New England. This included enchantments and possessions. This
evil had to be rooted out.
However
Mather was interested in reform and repentance. The witch trials
resulted in people being executed. In Salem over 20 were killed. Many
of those killed were good community members. However, Mather did not
intend for people to be executed.
As
a result of his vision and publication, “Memorable Providence Relating
to Witchcraft and Possession” the witch trials were started. However
the author of the book stood firmly against the death penalty, urging
prayer and fasting instead.
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