THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN TAKEN BY PRAYER 10/10 (WILLIAM HUNTINGTON)

My mistress finding that she could not get me altogether stripped of the peace and happiness I then enjoyed, went another way to work; for, whenever any minister or professor came to her house, she informed them of my preaching; and, as I could not pray with her, she told them I was so spiritually proud that I would not join with her in prayer. It was not, however, my pride, but her sin, that stopped the mouth of prayer; for how can a person pray with people one minute, and quarrel with them the next? Whatever Christian or minister called at the house was sure (after having a little conference with her) to come to me at the wharf, saying, "So, my friend, you preach, I am informed; take heed you do not run before you are sent," &c. Others would come to me, saying, "Beware of pride, my friend; pride is dangerous." And others would tell me of the importance of the ministerial work, without telling me wherein my sufficiency lay.

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN TAKEN BY PRAYER 9/10 (WILLIAM HUNTINGTON)

This thing staggered me exceedingly, as I could not reconcile the Lord's astonishing love for me with the saints' hatred against me. On the next Lord's Day, I went out of the meeting and walked to and fro from Hampton Wick to Hampton Court Green.

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN TAKEN BY PRAYER 8/10 (WILLIAM HUNTINGTON)

Indeed I used such simple expressions, and such familiarity, with my sweet Saviour, as I chose to conceal; being aware that I shall be styled an enthusiast for relating my inability to fetch a hoe or a rake. And indeed I should not have mentioned that circumstance, had not the Holy Ghost left the following simple expression of Peter's, upon the mount, on record, when he desired Christ to assist him in building "three [earthly] tabernacles; one for Moses, one for Jesus, and one for Elias." Fine buildings for the Lord and two glorious spirits to reside in! However, God's word has informed us that he knew not what he said. And yet I think none but a feel will call Peter an enthusiast for desiring to detain such a blessed company as he was within the visions of God.

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN TAKEN BY PRAYER 5/10 (WILLIAM HUNTINGTON)

My fellow workmen perceived me to sit silent at the pay table, while they were so jovial, and finding that I would not join with them for liquor when at work, they suspected I had caught a religious infection.

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN TAKEN BY PRAYER 2/10 (WILLIAM HUNGINGTON)

 

Secondly, we repent with an evangelical repentance, that brings us towards God; not with a legal repentance only, such as Judas had, for that drives us from God. And, thirdly, we "worship God in spirit and in truth, for God seeks such worshippers to worship him," John iv. 23. To "worship God in the Spirit" shows that a man must be inspired, and approach God with a spiritual mind, with a spiritual understanding, 1 Cor. xiv. 15; with spiritual affections; and to pray as the Spirit operates on him, 2 Sam. vii. 27; and "gives him utterance," Acts ii. 4. "The words of his mouth must be the meditation of his heart," Psal. xix. 14. He must pray in spiritual faith, James, i. 6. He must plow in spiritual hope, Prov. xiii. 12. And in spiritual expectation, Hab. ii. 1. Yea, he must pray against everything of which the Spirit convinces him to be evil, 1 Cor. iv. 10.