English Protestants of the 16th and 17th centuries did not try to overturn the traditional belief in the Devil, as they did with more high-profile aspects of Catholic religion, says Johnstone (history, Canterbury Christ Church U.), rather they emphasized the power of the Devil to bypass physical senses and tempt people directly in their minds. He describes aspects of demonism that were most prominent across the various genres. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
An original and powerful examination of the concept of the Devil in early modern England.
Nathan Johnstone looks at the ways in which beliefs about the nature of the Devil and his power in human affairs changed as a consequence of the impact of the Reformation. Departing from the established focus on demonology as a component of witchcraft, he examines a wide range of religious and political milieux, such as practical divinity, Puritan godliness, anti-popery, polemic and propaganda, and popular culture. The concept of the Devil that emerges not only had a profound impact on the beliefs and practices of committed Protestants, but influenced the political debates of the reigns of Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I, as well as popular culture,
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