BEKKER, BALTHASAR (1634-1698), Dutch divine, was born at Metslauier, in Friesland, March 3o, 1634. He was pastor at Franeker, and from 1679 at Amsterdam. His best known work was Die Betooverde W ereld (tool ), or The World Be witched (1695) (one vol. of an English trans. from a French copy) ; in which he attacked the belief in sorcery and "possession' by the devil. The book led to Bekker's deposition from the ministry. He died at Amsterdam on July 11, 1698.