The crucified Jesus, or, A full account of the nature, end, design and benefits of the sacrament of the Lords Supper with necessary directions, prayers, praises and meditations to be used by persons who come to the Holy Communion / by Anthony Horneck ...

ΑΓΝΩΣΤΩ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΗ TO THE Unknown Benefactor.

SIR,

THE following Discourse being the substance of several Sermons, Preach'd at your desire, and incouragement, before the Monthly Sa∣craments, though I am ignorant who you are, and what part of the City or Country you live in, yet I thought it my Duty, to let the Publick know, that there is such a Man in the World, who is desirous to do good, and loves not to be known. This Treatise you have a proper Title too, not only as one, whose Hearts desire is to see the Church of England flourish, but as a Benefactor too; and to have Dedicated it to any other Person, had been injurious to your Character.

You were sensible how backward the generality are to come to the Holy Communion, how much ground the Church, and Christianity it self, loses by this stupid negligence of it's pretended Votaries, and how, not a few absent themselves, for want of understanding the true nature and design of this Blessed Sacrament, and therefore justly thought, that if, by a previous Monthly Sermon, Mens Hearts were warm'd into consideration of the Use and Necessity of this Ordinance, the Mists,

which hitherto have clouded their Vnderstandings, would be dispell'd, and they become acquainted with their Du••y, which was the cause of your exciting me to this Publick Service.

Your Judgment hath not fail'd you, for since these Religious Exercises have been among us, abundance of Persons, who before look'd upon their coming to the Holy Table, either as indifferent, or unnecessary, or unseasonable, have, through the Blessing of God, be∣thought themselves, considered the Obligations, that the mighty Work of Redemption lays upon them, and conscientiously applyed themselves to the frequent Use of this Universal Medicine. And all I can tell you for your incouragement, is this, That as we owe the beginning, and progress of these Monthly Sermons, to your Zeal and Influence, so you will have a share, both in the good that's done by them, and in the Re∣wards of those, who are thereby brought to a serious sense of the wonderful Love of God in Christ Jesus. It was a publick good you design'd by your munificence; and that which makes the Pious Work the greater, is, that you do not care your left hand should know what your right hand doth.

The Almighty hath enrich'd your Heart with the Noblest Charity, even with that to the Souls of Men, an Empl••yment which God himself disdains not to travel in; and what are all the Angels of Heaven, but Ministring Spirits, sent forth to be helpful unto those that shall be Heirs of Salvation?

Nothing is more pleasing to God, than to be instru∣mental in bringing many Sons unto Glory, and though you are no publick Orator, yet you help towards Mens Conversion, and in employing others to rouze them from their Spiritual slumber, your Self have a

hand in their Reformation; And by that means Preach, though you be not in Orders, yet without offence to the Law, and at the same time observe the Canons of the Church, and win Souls, without being engaged in the Sacred Function. Some Criticks think, that S. Paul, in his Address to the Athenians, doth not find fault with, but commends them for Erecting an Altar To the unknown God, and if so, I hope none will blame me for raising this Monument, To an unknown Benefactor.

Good Works are the sweetest Incense that can be laid upon God's Altar; and though some, that have concealed their Names, have been discover'd by the Charitable Deeds done by them, yet yours are so order'd, that, though for some time you have thus generously employ'd part of your means, to advance this publick Good, yet still you are a stranger to me; and in that, happier than the Roman Senator, who hiding himself in the time of Proscription,* 1.1 his Perfumes betrayed him.

May the God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath already touch'd your Heart with a sense of his Glory, enrich you with all Spiritual Blessings, and make you to abound more and more in Faith, in Love, and in all Goodness. May that Great Shepherd of Souls en∣lighten your Understanding with greater brightness, raise your Soul above this transitory World, teach you to despise the things that are seen, and fill you with earnest longings, after those which are not seen; that after ha∣ving serv'd your Generation here, your Immortal part may be admitted to the Enjoyment and Embraces of the Holy Trinity, the Festivals of Seraphim, to Mount Sion, to the City of the Living God, to the innume∣rable Company of Angels, to the general Assembly of

the First-born, which are written in Heaven, to the Spirits of Men made perfect, and to Jesus the Me∣diator of the New Testament, whose Blood speaks better things than that of Abel. So wishes,

SIR,

Your Affectionate Friend, And Servant, ANTH. HORNECK.

Notes

• * 1.1

  L. Plotius.