Editing Spirit possession (section)

==== Anglican ====
The infliction of demonic torment upon an individual has been chronicled in premodern [[Protestantism|Protestant]] literature. In 1597, [[King James VI and I|King James]] discussed four methods of daemonic influence upon an individual in his book [[Daemonologie]]:{{sfnp|Warren|2019|p=69}}
# Spectra, being the haunting and troubling of certain houses or solitary places.
# Obsession, the following and outwardly torment of an individual at diverse hours to either weaken or cast diseases upon the body, as in the [[Book of Job]].
# Possession, the entrance inwardly into an individual to beget uncontrollable fits, induce blasphemies, 
# Faerie, being the influence those who voluntarily submit to consort, prophesy, or servitude.

King James attested that the symptoms derived from demonic possession could be discernible from natural diseases. He rejected the symptoms and signs prescribed by the Catholic church as vain (e.g. rage begotten from [[Holy Water]], fear of the [[Crucifix|Cross]], etc.) and found the [[exorcism]] rites to be troublesome and ineffective to recite. The [[Catholic particular churches and liturgical rites|Rites of the Catholic Church]] to remedy the torment of demonic spirits were rejected as counterfeit since few possessed could be cured by them. In James' view: "It is easy then to understand that the casting out of Devils, is by virtue of fasting and prayer, and in-calling of the name of God, suppose many imperfections be in the person that is the instrument, as CHRIST himself teaches us (Mat. 7) of the power that false [[Prophet|Prophets]] all have cast out devils".{{sfnp|Warren|2019|pp=84–86}}

In [[Middle Ages|medieval]] [[Great Britain]], the Christian church had offered suggestions on safeguarding one's home. Suggestions ranged from dousing a household with [[holy water]], placing wax and herbs on thresholds to "ward off [[Witchcraft|witches]] [[occult]]", and avoiding certain areas of townships known to be frequented by witches and Devil worshippers after dark.{{sfnp|Broedel|2003|pp=32–33}} Afflicted persons were restricted from entering the church, but might share the shelter of the [[church porch|porch]] with [[leprosy|lepers]] and persons of offensive life. After the prayers, if quiet, they might come in to receive the bishop's blessing and listen to the [[sermon]]. They were fed daily and prayed over by the exorcists and, in case of recovery, after a fast of from 20 to 40 days, were admitted to the [[Eucharist]], and their names and cures entered in the church records.<ref>{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Energici|volume=9|page=398}}</ref> In 1603, the [[Church of England]] forbade its clergy from performing exorcisms because of numerous fraudulent cases of demonic possession.{{sfnp|Netzley|2002}}

{{anchor|Baptist}}