Crafty designing men

They have also had the great advantage of the vast veneration the people had for Mr. Stoddard's memory, which was such that many of them looked on him almost as a sort of deity. They were all (i.e. except the young people) born and brought up under his ministry, and had been used from their infancy to esteem his sayings all as oracles. And he they knew, maintained that doctrine which I oppose, with great positiveness and zeal, and opposed the contrary which I maintain, as an exceeding pernicious doctrine. Under these circumstances, I naturally appear as a dangerous opposer of the cause of God, and my teaching and insisting on the doctrine which Mr. Stoddard opposed appears to 'em a sort of horrid profaneness.

Crafty designing men have abundantly filled the ears of the more ignorant with suggestions that my opinion tends to overthrow all religion, and to ruin the present and future generations, and make all heathen, shutting them out of the church of Christ.

Not only many of the leading men in Northampton have used their utmost endeavors to engage the minds of the common people in this controversy, but they have also been put forward by the neighboring ministers all round. My opposers have also been assisted and edged on by some at a greater distance, persons of note; and some great men in civil authority have had a great hand.

It is to be considered, that the contrary opinion to mine had not only long been established in Northampton, without so much as one opposer to it, but it had also been fully and quietly established for a long time in all the neighboring churches and congregations, and in all the country round, even to a great distance. So that my opinion, when first broached, appeared to the people exceeding singular. Their views being very narrow, it appeared to them that all the world almost was against me. And my most crafty opposers have improved this advantage, and have abundantly represented me, as all alone in my opinion.

Many of the people, who at length came to have their spirits much raised, and were brought to join in violent measures, yet came slowly into it, after having [been] long practiced with, and indefatigable endeavors used to engage and inflame 'em.