ΑΓΝΩΣΤΩ ΕΥΕΓΡΕΤΗ TO THЕ Unknown Benefactor. SIR, T HE following Difcourfe being the fubftance of feveral Sermons, Preach'd at your defire, and incouragement, before the Monthly Sacraments, 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 fuch a Man in the World, who is defirous to do good, and loves not to be known. This Treatife you have a proper Title to, not only as one, whofe Hearts defire is to fee the Church of England flourish, but as a Benefactor too; and to have Dedicated it to any other Perfon, had been injurious to your Character. Toa were fenfible how backward the generality are to come to the Holy Communion, how much ground the Church, and Christianity it felf, lofes by this stupid negligence of its pretended Votaries, and how not a fem abfent themselves, for want of understanding the true nature and defign of this Bleffed Sacrament, and therefore justly thought,that if, by a previous Monthly Sermon, Mens Hearts were warm'd into confideration of the Ufe and Neceffity of this Ordinance, the Mifts, which A 3 which hitherto have clouded their Understandings, would be difpell'd, and they become acquainted with their Duty, which was the cause of your exciting me to this Publick Service. Tour Judgment hath not fail'd you, for fince thefe Religious Exercifes have been among us, abundance of Perfons, who before look'd upon their coming to the Holy Table, either as indifferent, or unnecessary, or unfeafonable, have, through the Bleffing of God, bethought themselves, confidered the Obligations that the mighty Work of Redemption bays upon them, and confciencioufly apply'd themselves to the frequent Ufe of this Univerfal Medicine. And all I can tell you for your Incouragement, is this, That as we owe the Beginning, and Progress of thefe Monthly Sermons, to your Zeal and Influence, fo you will have a Share both in the Good that's done by them, and in the Rewards of those, who are thereby brought to a ferious Senfe of the wonderful Love of God in Chrift Jefus. It was a Publick Good you defign'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 bath enrich'd your Heart with the Nobleft Charity, even with that to the Souls of Men, an Employment which God himself disdains not to travel in; and what are all the Angels of Heaven, but Miniftring Spirits, fent forth to be helpful unto those that shall be Heirs of Salvation? Nothing is more pleafing to God, than to be inftrumental in Bringing many Sons unto Glory, and though you are no publick Orator, yet you help towards Mens Converfion, and in employing others to rouze them them from their Spiritual Slumber, your Self have band in their Reformation; and by that means Preach, though you be not in Orders, yet without Offence to the Law, and at the fame time obferve the Canons of the Church, and win Souls, without being engaged in the Sacred Function. Some Criticks think, that St. Paul in his Addrefs to the Athenians, doth not find Fault with, but commends them for erecting an Altar To the unknown God, and if fo, I hope none will blame me for raifing this Monument, To an unknown Benefactor. Good Works are the sweetest Incense that can be laid upon God's Atar; and though fome, that have concealed their Names, have been discover'd by the Charitable Deeds done by them, yet yours are fo or der'd, that, tho' for fome 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 Profcription, his Perfumes betray'd him. L.Plotius. ว May the God, and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who hath already touch'd your Heart with a fenfe of his Glory, enrich you with all Spiritual Bleffings, aud make you to abonde more and more in Faith, in Love, and in all Goodness. May that Great Shepherd of Souls enlighten your Understanding with greater Brightness, raife your Soul above this tranfitory World,teach you to defpife the things that are feen, and fill you with earnest Longings after thofe which are not feen; that after having ferv'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 Affembly of the First-born, which are written in Heaven, to the Spirits of Men made perfect, and to Jefus the Mediator of the New Teftament, whofe Blood fepaks better things than that of Abel. So wishes. SIR, Your Affectionate Friend, And Servant, ANTH. HORNECK. THE |