I HAVE no doubt but you bore a part of my burthen in this last conflict with Satan, and therefore conclude that you would be glad to know what the labour and travail of this mountain brought forth. It hath not answered the expectation of the conspirators, by any means; some were foolish enough to think to vote me out of my office, though I were never voted in; and others expected me to be dismissed with a formal ceremony, who were received by me only, at our first formation.
Their democratic principles led them so high as to attempt an invasion of the priesthood, and even to shew their authority in the province of the pulpit, which I view as sacred to the ambassador that God is pleased to send there to personate him, to those who inquire after him, and to be as his mouth to the objects of his choice. In vain am I made a watchman, unless I have authority in my word to cry fire, or detect a thief; I cannot perform the part of an overseer of the flock, if I am not to resist the attempts of a. grievous wolf. And how can I be a faithful messenger either to God or men, if I do not resist, oppose, and exclude from my pulpit, a damnable imposter, who is in profession a hypocrite, in knowledge a novice; in spirit a hardened rebel, in office a minister of Satan, and in life and practice a son of Belial? The congregation of hypocrites is already desolate, and the fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.
We have four branches of art which are made use of in London, to keep a shattered cause and a ruined party together, when God leaves it, and begins to blow upon it and blast it; these are, field-preaching, prayer-meetings, love-feasts, and organs, which are the infallible marks of a decay in gain of godliness, and of sinking into insolvency: the opposition to me have tried the former two, and I expect shortly to hear of the third, not of the fourth for want of money. These are the traps made use of where the power of God is wanting, and for want of which the houses of God are deserted and get thin; but these snares are laid in the sight of many birds who have long observed the cheat, and therefore they are spread in vain. Our old acquaintance – –, and five more, are bondsmen for the rent, and he is the leading roan on the Monday evenings at the prayer meetings; but all is not sufficient to keep this rope of sand together, for, "Wickedness shall be broken as a tree," Job xxiv. 20.
The little man is now of very little account, in very little esteem, and not a little mortified to see himself so little in the eyes of many; he is so filled with rage at the mention of my name, that he bounds with electric fire, and has hard work to keep his feet on the earth, they that are cruel trouble their own flesh: "The turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me, shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil," Prov. i. 31, 32. I have no doubt of the whole rent falling on the bondsmen, and the expenses of the alterations likewise, for it was those gentlemen who gave the orders, so you see we go a warfare at our own charges; but as yet we have wrought no deliverance in the earth, nor have the inhabitants of the world fallen.
At first setting off, there was great shouting in the camp of the Philistines, and they expected the Hebrews would be soon drove into their holes, and it was concluded that the ark was taken: we had only the letter, the power was with them; but, alas! the house of Saul waxeth weaker and weaker, and the house of David increases and must increase, till the kingdoms of this world acknowledge their rightful sovereign, and submit to his sceptre. The army of Saul is scattered from him, his whole forces do not exceed a hundred, and the chief part of these are scouting parties, fallen off from their old commanders; and some of them have been disbanded for cowardice, some were discharged with stripes on their backs, and others have been drummed out of other regiments for misdemeanors. Under these circumstances the standard-bearer faints, flags, and gets very much dispirited, and well he may, for God's banner was never displayed over him, nor one soldier ever enlisted by him, nor one deserted ever restored to his colours through him; the armour of God was never upon him, nor any commission ever received from him, therefore he can expect neither pay nor pension; he must live by plunder and forage, or else he must work, and with quietness eat his own bread, or perish with hunger: so you see that, "By means of a whorish woman, a man is brought to a piece of bread, and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life," Prov. vi. 26.
The false flame is quite extinguished, and nothing but a stinkng snuff is perceptible among them; under this cold chill many re creeping back in hope of getting into winter quarters among us, but the peace officers will grant them no billets, nor will any of the rendezvous that are open for his Majesty, receive them, for both their countenance and their hand-cuffs proclaimed their disloyalty and perjury. They have deserted their colours, and God 'refuses either to be the strength of their heart, or the health of their countenance; the former is given up to the buffetings of Satan, and the latter proclaims their treachery. As to their appearance, their uniform is only that of a spencer, for like David's ambassadors their skirts are cut off close by the rump, so that they walk naked; and many who before viewed their judgment as a robe and diadem, now see their shame and shun their company. This is not a little degrading, especially to our little saint Crispin, who will be great though he is no better than a servant of all work, and as a borrower he is a servant to the lender, consequently a servant of servants. My respects to all friends. The Lord bless thee, so prays,
W. HUNTINGTON.
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