 Scot believed that the prosecution of those accused of witchcraft was irrational and un-Christian, and he held the Roman Church responsible.Popular belief held that all obtainable copies were burned on the accession of James I in 1603.Scot's book appeared entitled ""The Discoverie of Witchcraft, wherein the Lewde dealing of Witches and Witchmongers is notablie detected, in sixteen books ... whereunto is added a Treatise upon the Nature and Substance of Spirits and Devils"", 1584.