DR. DOD D's ADDRESS, On receiving SENTENCE of DEATH, May 26, 1777. My Lord, NOW ftand before you a dreadful example of hu man infirmity. I entered upon public life with the expectations common to young men, whose education has been liberal, and whofe abilities have been flattered: and, when I became a clergyman, confidered myself as not impairing the dignity of the order. I was not an idle, nor, I hope, an ufelefs minifter. I taught the truths of Christianity, with the zeal of conviction, and the authority of innocence. My labours were approved, my pulpit became popular; and I have reason to believe, that, of thofe who heard me, fome have been preferved. from fin, and fome have been reclaimed.-Condefcend, my lord, to think, if these confiderations aggravate my crime, how much they must embitter my punishment! - Being distinguished and elevated by the confidence of mankind, I had too much confidence in myfelf: and, thinking my integrity, what others thought it, established in fincerity, and fortified by religion, I did not confider the danger of vanity, nor suspect the deceitfulness of my own heart. The day of conflict came, in which temptation furprised and overwhelmed me. I committed the crime, which I entreat your lordship to believe that my confcience hourly reprefents to me in its full full bulk of mischief and malignity. Many have been overpowered by temptation, who are now among the penitent in heaven. a To an act, now waiting the decifion of vindictive justice, I will not prefume to oppose the counterbalance of almost thirty years+a great part of the life of manpaffed in exciting and exercifing charity; in relieving fuch diftreffes as I now feel; in administering those confolations which I now want. I will not otherwise extenuate my offence, than by declaring, what I hope will appear to many, and which many circumstances make probable, that I did not intend to be finally fraudulent; nor will it become me to apportion my own. punishment, by alledging that my fufferings have been not much less than my guilt. I have fallen from reputation, which ought to have made me cautious; and from a fortune, which ought to have given me content. I am funk at once into poverty and scorn:; my name and my crime fill the ballads in the streets the sport of the thoughtless, and the triumph of the wicked. It may seem strange, my lord, that, remembering what I have lately been, I should still wish to continue what I am. But contempt of death, how fpeciously foever it might mingle with heathen virtues, has nothing in it fuitable to Chriftian penitence. Many motives impel me to beg earnestly for life. I feel the natural horror of a violent death, and the univerfal dread of untimely diffolution. I am defirous to recompenfe the injury I have done to the clergy, to the world, and to religion; and to efface the fcandal of my crime, by the example N. time/ prepared I example of my repentance. But, above all, I wish to For these reasons, my lord, amidst shame and mifery, yet wish to live; and moft humbly implore that I may be recommended by your lordship to the clemency of his Majefty! THE CONVICT's ADDRESS TO HIS UNHAPPY BRETHREN. Delivered in the CHAPEL of NEW GATE, on FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 1777. By WILLIAM DO DD, LL.D. I acknowledge my Faults; and my Sin is ever before me. PSALM li. 3. To the Reverend Mr. VILLETTE, ORDINARY of NEWGATE. REVEREND SIR, THE following Addrefs owes its prefent public appearance to you. I read it to you after it was compofed, and you thought it proper to be delivered, as was intended. You heard it delivered, and are pleased to think that its publication will be useful.-To a poor and abject worm, like myself, this is a fufficient inducement to that publication; and I heartily pray God, that in your hands it may frequently and effectually administer to the inftruction and comfort of the miferable. I am, dear Sir, With my fincereft thanks for your humane and friendly attention, Your truly forrowful, Friday, June 6, and much afflicted Brother in Chrift, WILLIAM DOD D. 1777. |