1613 JOHN SALKELD. Treatise of Angels, Demons, and the Devil. Dedicated to King James I

A very scarce work on the nature and influence of angels, demons, and the Devil. Salkeld had been a Roman Catholic, but was converted to protestantism under King James I. In the dedication, to King James, Salkeld calls James, t"he angel who had rescued him from the dungeon of popery and enlightened him by the beams of his reasoning." 

Salkeld found the lack of a theology surrounding supernatural beings in Protestantism to fall far short of the mark of Biblical and historical Christianity. Of course, through the Reformation and early puritanism, this was a response to the abuses and extravagancies of the Roman Catholic church. Salkeld sought to recover Biblical ideals on these subjects. 

Includes sections on angels’ corporeal composition, angelic and demonic appearances, whether angels and demons may assume different appearances, the manner of their movements, comprehension, powers, abilities, and hierarchies, whether angels and demons may work miracles, whether angels can know the future, read men’s minds, watch over specific men as ‘guardian angels,’ and whether they can turn away from God, commit sins, or die. 

Salkeld, John. A Treatise of Angels. Of the Nature, Essence, Place, Power, Science, Will, Apparitions, Grace, Sinne, and All Other Proprieties of Angels. Collected out of the Holy Scriptures, Ancient Fathers, and Schoole-Divines. London: Printed by T.S. for Nathaniel Butter, 1613. First Edition. 24 + 365pp.

Original worn vellum as shown. Title page darkened, a handful of small creases throughout, a few instances of light soiling, corner of last leaf torn. Overall, text quite nicely preserved.