To all the several societies of people called churches, in the Presbyterian, Independent or any other form of profession in the service of God.

Brethren and fellow-members of mankind: this following declaration of the word of life was a free gift to me from the the Father himself; and I received it not from men. When I had writ it, I was moved to send it to you immediately; but I delayed it by almost a fortnight, and thought not of it: then one night as I waked out of sleep the voice was in my very heart and mouth, ready to come forth: ‘Go send it to the churches.’ Thereupon I was filled with great love to you, my heart panting with love towards you, pitying your condition; in that there is a great striving as it were for life among you, and yet you lie under the power of death and bondage, and knows not, or at least doth not actually hold forth that you know, that spirit which in words you seem to profess.

You speak and preach of the life of love. But you have not the power of it; your verbal profession, without the pure righteous action, shews you generally to be outlandish men, of several nations, under the government of darkness, and that you are not yet the true inhabitants of the land of love.