_An Epistle of_ JOHN REEVE _to Mr._ HILL.
Dear Friend in the eternal Truth, my Love to you and the rest of our
Spiritual Friends remembred.
_Brother_ Hill,
It seems very strange to me, That you with the rest of former Friends,
make no Enquiry after me whether I am dead or alive. What have the
unnecessary Things and Cares of this World swallowed up your former Love
to the Truth? Though I am moved in this manner to write unto you, I
trust you have not so learned Christ.
_Friend_, The Reason of my not sending unto you this long Season is
this, because my Wife and I were both very sick and weak, of which
Sickness the 29th of _March_ last my Wife died.
Immediately after I had buried my Wife, the Lord our God called me to
visit some of his People living near _Cambridge_, as he once called me
to visit you; yea, it was in the very same Manner: For one of the chief
Speakers of the _Ranters_ being convinced by this Truth, who formerly
had deceived them, took a Parcel of my Books and presented them to them,
upon which they greatly desired me as you formerly did; I hope there is
about half a Score of them that have received the Truth in Sincerity of
Heart, they are Husbandmen and Tradesmen that Labour for their Bread as
you do; they rejoyce in those that really possess this Truth though by
Face unknown.
_Christopher Hill_,
You seem to forget your Engagement to your Father-in-Law, you know
the Time is expired concerning your Payment of the Money, which was
lent to you, and not to him; wherefore as you love the Truth, I
desire you to send me the Money remaining behind speedily, that I
may restore it to the right Owner.
Now concerning my own Condition it is thus; on _May Day_ last, I was
Senseless two or three times, insomuch, that if a faithful Friend
had not been by me to relieve me with a little Cordial, I had
immediately died. I still continue very sick and weak, so that of
Necessity, I must either mend or end in a little Space. As for
Relief now I have most need of it, it hath been very small of late;
I wish it may not be a Burthen to the Conscience of some when I am
gone; the Widow's Mite will be a Witness against all Carnal Excuses
in those that own this Truth. It may be you may think, I have no
need of your Charity now, because the Merchant for a little Season
allowed me a small Matter Weekly; but if you think so, you are much
mistaken, for I have had none from him a pretty while, neither do I
know whether I shall have any more from him at all: For when he took
Ship for _Barbadoes_, he had not wherewithal to leave his Wife and
Children, through the unjust Dealings of unreasonable Men. Brother
_Hill_, You may remember you sent me Word, that if the _London_
Christians would contribute Weekly or Monthly to my Necessity, you
would do the like, you will do well to keep your Covenant.
And so I commit you to the most High, and remain yours in all
Righteousness,