Part 10

Dear Friend,

Thus far was I moved to write unto thee, as an eternal Witness between us, when the Secrets of all Hearts shall be opened. If thou seest good, thou mayst present this Epistle to the View of those Men called Quakers, not that I can expect a good Issue from any of them, unless God hath endowed them with hearing Ears, unjudging, meek and patient Spirits.

Sept. 20. 1654.

Thine in all eternal Excellencies.

JOHN REEVE.

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,

JOHN REEVE.

My Dwelling is in Bishopsgate-street near Hog-lane End, with three Sisters that keep a Sempstris Shop.

Direct your Letters to our Brother Muggleton, to be conveyed to me, and the Money to him for me, you know where he dwells; it is in Trinity-lane, over against a Brown-Baker's.

London June 11. 1656.

Another Epistle of JOHN REEVE's to the same Person.

For his Loving Friend Christopher Hill, Heel-maker in Stone-street in Maidstone, in Kent. These

Brother Hill,

I Have received your Letter and your kind Token, for which I acknowledge your Kindness to Truth.

As for my Neglect in Writing to you, my great Troubles of Sickness and Mortality hath hindred it, I hope whilst I am able to write, for time to come, you shall not charge me with any such Neglect; in the mean Season, I do not desire your Charity unless you can spare it. Remember my kind Love to your Mother Wyles, to Tho. Martin, and Goodman Young, and I rejoyce in the Lord for you, that the Truth abides in you. As for the Money, I am glad of your Care for the Truths sake, because it was lent to me upon that Account.

No more at present, but desiring my God abundantly to establish you in all spiritual Excellencies, unto whose infinite Grace I commend you in all Righteousness,

London, June the last, 1656.

JOHN REEVE.

Another Epistle of JOHN REEVE's to the same Person.