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,