How accurate are deceptions like in portraying the realities of the steamboat era?

In Shakespeare’s comedies, as in real life, the method, agent, intent, and purpose of the deception may differ, but one thing remains constant: deception, in some form, is fundamentally essential to the formation of romantic relationships, as well as to revealing both external and internal truths about love.

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In Johnathan Edward's sermon, he states how those who live in sin are risking their lives and "their foot shall slide in due time." The accusers of Carrier suffered diseases and injuries that would not heal until she was convicted. The torment would not end until she lost her footing.

Edwards talks about God, sin, and religion. He states that men live and die at the mercy of God, and God alone determines whether someone goes to Hell or Heaven. This contradicts the trial of Martha Carrier because she is at the mercy of the people.  

In the last part, Edwards directly addresses the audience as all "sinners in the hands of an angry God." This explains that everyone, accused or accuser, are at fault of something and must come clean. Carrier's children are made to confess because they most likely feel that they are sinners.