The Judgment Set, and the Books Opened. Religion tried, whether it be of God or of Men. The Lord cometh to visit his own, for the time is come that Judgment must begin at the House of God. To separate the Sheep from the Goats and the Precious from the Vile. And to discover the blasphemy of those that say that they are Apostles, Teachers, Alive, Rich, Jews; but are found liars, deceivers, dead, poor, blind, naked, the synagogue of Satan. In Several Sermons Delivered by Mr. John Webster at All Hallows Lombard Street, London.

Philosophers enjoy working with ideas that arise as they engage the world. They like to think carefully, looking at ides from more than one perspective, and without partisan urgency or desperate defensive moves. Of course, not all people who call themselves philosophers follow this ideal, but it has a long history, having been exemplified by Socrates and others in the ancient world. The essays in this volume attempt to live up to this ideal, which does not, by the way, prevent Dr. Abegg from reaching strong conclusions—which are, however, always open to challenge.. While parts of some of the essays may be difficult in places for readers not acquainted with philosophy, the shorter essays written recently for this collection are easier to read and also more lively. As a glance at the Table of Contents will reveal, the essays in this volume are on topics that should be important for all of us, such as sexual morality, abortion, Sigmund Freud, the relation between science and religion, and efforts to find a meaningful minimal religion.

This study examines the relationship between élite and popular beliefs in witchcraft, magic and superstition in England, analyzing such beliefs against the background of political, religious and social upheaval characteristic of the Civil War, Interregnum and Restoration periods. Belief in witchcraft received new impulses because of the general ferment of religious ideas and the tendency of participants in the Civil Wars to resort to imagery drawn from beliefs about the devil and witches; or to use portents to argue for the wrongs of their opponents. Throughout the work, the author stresses that deeply held superstitions were fundamental to belief in witches, the devil, ghosts, apparitions and supernatural healing. Despite the fact that popular superstitions were often condemned, it was recognized that their propaganda value was too useful to ignore. A host of pamphlets and treatises were published during this period which unashamedly incorporated such beliefs. Valletta here explores the manner in which political and religious authorities somewhat cynically used demonic imagery and language to discredit their opponents and to manipulate popular opinion.