Potts devotes several pages to a fairly detailed criticism of the evidence presented in Grace Sowerbutts ' statement , giving an insight into the discrepancies which existed during the early 17th century between the Protestant establishment 's view of witchcraft and the beliefs of the common people , who may have been influenced by the more continental views of Catholic priests such as Christopher Southworth . Potts devotes several pages to a fairly detailed criticism of the evidence presented in Grace Sowerbutts ' statement , giving an insight into the discrepancies that existed during the early 17th century between the Protestant establishment 's view of witchcraft and the beliefs of the common people , who may have been influenced by the more continental views of Catholic priests such as Christopher Southworth .