Ditton.
I CONFESS my fault in not sending to you before, but believe me I have but little time. Last Sunday was a week, I went to London and preached, and the Lord was with us indeed, though strangers to each other before. I found soon we were fellowcitizens; the Lord gave me great power in prayer and preaching, and we parted in the language of a friend of old, "It is good for us to be here." From thence I went to Camberwell, and found my dear sister alive to God, and I went to hear Mr. B. in the evening, and had such a time, that I wished to die before I got out of the church. O Lord, ever give me this bread. I parted with her, between twelve and one o'clock, with some of the old prophetic love in our hearts; O heavenly wind, blow it into a flame. Between four and five in the morning I reached home; I do really believe this is better than sleeping.
Last Saturday I was dreadfully tried, by an old enemy that I bad been preaching against a night or two before, tried till my soul groaned. I told a friend that I would at him again when I got out; it is be that our mother overcome by the blood of the Lamb: O God give me power. On Sunday morning I went to Moulsey in chains, but found freedom of speech, though no love on my heart; but it was a blessing to them that were bound, God will not let me work for nothing.
From thence I went to Woking alone, not quite alone, for my foe was near at hand, which made me look up and cry heartily to God; yet I was big with expectation of feeling some of the fire of God's love, after this fire of confusion, and going over Seend Marsh, a man that comes to hear me told me that one Captain B. and his wife, and some more people, wanted to hear me preach. I told them if they got together against I came back, I would preach to them. Well, thought I, this will pay for my temptation.
When I came to my dear flock they gladly received me, and the room was full; I found it well between God and my soul alone, and went out to speak, and there were some stood without doors, the room would not hold them. I spake from these words, "Have you received the Holy Ghost?" and God blessed it. Then I retired to get a text for them without, and the bible was shut up from me; O how was I tried, I prayed and cried to God, and I said, there was the greatest multitude I ever spoke to. At last I went trembling out with these words, "But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium," Acts, xiii. 51; still in chains, and my dear brother H. pitying me with tears. This concourse of people came from all quarters, a great many hundreds; as soon as I took my text, down dropped my chains, and I never felt out of doors such boldness and power, and all so quiet, so awed, and such power. After sermon they thronged round the door, I exhorted them till my soul wept, and some that I never saw before wept with me; nigh a hundred of them stood round me, and God was powerful with us. They kept me till dark, many wanted to go to Seend with me, so I left them like little children.
When I came to Seend, there were a few people waiting, there had been both foot and horse, but many were gone; they asked me to preach, and they called the Captain out; there was still some foot and some horse. So I went into a house, and picked out a text, and then went out and preached in the dark, all stood still, and I hope God was with us, so I got home about twelve o'clock. On Monday night I preached at Twickenham, after being three times asked, and God was there; some wanted to hear because of the evil report raised about me, and God met them, and sent them away with a very good opinion of me.
On Tuesday evening I preached at Richmond, some thronged to hear because I had been called a wolf in sheep's clothing, but God was with me; some were greatly cut, others that came to hear the wolf, said, I was well taught of God. This night I preached at Ditton, with as great liberty as ever, God was with us, and some of my dear friends from Kingston, who have strongly opposed me, came to hear out of curiosity; but God sent them home with these words in their mouth, It is worth coming for. My dear friends that gave it out that I was a wolf come to scatter the flock, have since altered their minds, and said that I was a child of God, but no preacher, though they never heard me before. The next words I suppose will be, that I am a preacher but no bishop; Lord, what is man?
A gentleman from London who was at Woking told me, that he thought I was to blame to go to Richmond, and to blame to preach out of doors, because I had no learning; this was a month ago last Sunday; many quality came with him from Guildford, so he distressed my soul greatly. But I went away and poured out my soul, complaint and all, before God alone, till my heart was broke, and then I went out to preach, and I think one of the clearest discourses I ever delivered, and with great power. Then the gentleman called me aside, and offered me money to bear my expenses, which I refused; he told me he wished he could give me twenty pounds; he said I was called of God, and told me never to Work journey-work under any proprietors, but to go on as I did, and I am determined to have no master but Christ. So I see from this gentleman, that if I consulted man I should neither preach nor hold my tongue; God make me a preacher, not of man nor by man.
A minister was sent down from London to preach, and to expose me in the pulpit; he said he knew I preached errors, but never heard me. He said he knew I did not live according to the gospel, but never saw me; he said I had left off work, God forgive his lies; he said I preached for money, but I could stand search any time I believe. If any man would give me a thousand pounds, I could not leave off preaching, God holds me with a strong hand. The proprietors threaten laying me in prison, because I am not licensed; after this many people came to hear me at Richmond with keen ears, to hear what a monster of sin I was. I earnestly begged of God in my prayer publicly, that God would shew them whether I was right or wrong in coming, if wrong that he would confound me, if right that power might be felt; and God was with me with a witness, and convinced them all. I most conclude, it is midnight. Pray give my love to all friends. I wish you my dear friends the peace of heaven, and more communication with my dear, dear Redeemer, Amen.
W. HUNTINGTON.
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