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Horneck, Anthony, D.D.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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Horne, Thomas Hartwell, D.D.

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An English divine, was born at Baccharack, in the Lower Palatinate, in 1641. He studied at Heidelberg and at Leyden, and finally went to England, and entered Queen's College, Oxford, at the age of nineteen. Two years after he became tutor to lord Torrington, who gave him the living of Doulton, in Devonshire, and procured him a prebend in the church of Exeter. In 1671 he was chosen preacher at the Savoy, upon which he resigned his living in Devonshire. Admiral Russel, afterwards earl of Orford, recommended him to the queen for preferment, and, by the advice of Dr. Tillotson, then archbishop, he was presented to the prebendary of Westminster in 1693. He died Jan. 31,1697. He was a good linguist, a learned divine, an excellent preacher, and a faithful pastor. His church was so crowded that it was often difficult for him to reach the pulpit. In the reign of James II, when it became clear that there was danger of a revival of popery, he spared no pains in resisting the movement. His zeal for the promotion of practical religion was incessant; and, among other means, he made use of the so called Religious Societies of the time, of which, indeed, some suppose him to have been the original founder. The rules of these societies seem in some points to have suggested to Wesley his class meetings (q.v.). The following is a summary of them:

"1. All that enter the society shall resolve upon a holy and serious life.

2. No person shall be admitted into the society until he has arrived at the age of sixteen, and has been first confirmed by the bishop, and solemnly taken upon himself his baptismal vows.

3. The members shall choose a minister of the Church of England to direct them.

4. They shall not be allowed in their meetings to discourse on any controverted point of divinity.

5. Neither shall they discourse on the government of Church or State.

6. In their meetings they shall use no prayers but those of the Church, such as the litany and collects, and other prescribed prayers; but still they shall not use any that peculiarly belongs to the minister, as the absolution.

7. The minister whom they choose shall direct what practical divinity shall be read at these meetings.

8. They shall have liberty, after prayer and reading, to sing a psalm.

9. After all is done, if there be time left, they may discourse to each other about their spiritual concerns; but this shall not be a standing exercise which any shall be obliged to attend to.

10. One day in the week shall be appointed for this meeting for such as cannot come on the Lord's day; and he that absents himself without cause shall pay three pence to the box.

11. Every time they meet they shall give sixpence to the box.

12. On a certain day in the year, viz. Whit Tuesday, two stewards shall be chosen, and a moderate dinner provided, and a sermon preached; and the money distributed (necessary charges deducted) to the poor.

13. A book shall be bought in which these orders shall be written.

14. None shall be admitted into this society without the consent of the minister who presides over it; and no apprentice shall be capable of being chosen.

15. If any case of conscience shall arise, it shall be brought before the minister.

16. If any members think fit to leave the society he shall pay five shillings to the stock.

17. The major part of the society shall conclude the rest.

18. The following rules are more especially recommended to the members of this society, viz.: To love one another. When reviled, not to revile again. To speak evil of no man. To wrong no man. To pray, if possible, seven times a day. To keep close to the Church of England. To transact all things peaceably and gently. To be helpful to each other. To use themselves to holy thoughts in their coming in and going out. To examine themselves every night. To give every one their due. To obey superiors, both spiritual and temporal." Dr. Horneck's writings include the following: Sermons on the fifth of St. Matthew, with The Life of the Author, by Richard (Kidder), lord bishop of Bath and Wells (London 2nd ed. 1706, 2 vols. 8vo) — The crucified Jesus, or A Treatise on the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, etc. (London, 6th edit. 1716, 8vo) — The great Law of Consideration (London 11th ed. 1729, 8vo). — The happy Ascetic, or the best Exercise (on 1 Timothy 4:7), to which is added A Letter concerning the holy Lives of the primitive Christians (London 3rd ed. enlarged, 1693, 8vo) — The Fire of the Altar, A Preparation for the Lord's Supper (London, 13th ed. 1718, 12mo) — Sermon on Romans 8:20 (London 1677, 4to). — Darling, Cyclopaedia Bibliograph. 1, 1547; Hook, Ecclesiastes Biography, 6, 166; Birch, Life of Tillotson.