1777 DEMONS AND DEMONIACKS. Demons Real and Their Expulsion Demonstrates Christ's Reign.

Rare first edition of the most significant "supernaturalist" contribution to the Demoniack Controversy of the late 19th century. William Worthington (1703–1778) wrote in defense of literal demonic possession as expressed in the Scriptures, in direct opposition to rationalist and Enlightenment-leaning theologians like Hugh Farmer, who argued that New Testament "demoniacs" were simply individuals suffering from natural physical or mental illnesses like epilepsy and insanity. Instead, Worthington argued that demonic possession was a literal, historical reality permitted by God to visibly demonstrate Jesus's divine authority over evil forces. 

Rubber stamped at the head of the title from the collection of Thomas Chew Worthington III [1879-1953], magician and collector of all things curious and macabre whose assemblage of magic materials is today housed at the Ringling Brothers Museum in Sarasota.

Worthington, William. An Impartial Enquiry into the Case of the Gospel Demoniacks. With an Appendix Consisting of an Essay on Scripture Demonology. London. J. F. and C. Rivington. 1777. 349pp.

Good in later full leather, decoratively blindstamped with new endpapers. Some scattered foxing.