The late 17th/early 18th centuries marked a time of awakening, with the birth of institutions of higher learning, yet the most enlightened of that time spent their cognitive brilliance debating how many angels could fit upon the head of a pin.
Satan was ubiquitous, and he was known to have appeared in many forms.
He was thought forever present on the Earth, a wolf amongst God's holy sheep, watching, waiting for his chance to corrupt the faithful.
Temptation loomed-witchcraft was actually prac.