ON DEATH. BY WILLIAM DODD, L. L. D. PREBENDARY OF BRECON. It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the Judgment. HEB. IX. 27. THE ELEVENTH EDITION VOR LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. MAWMAN; LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, By T. Miller, 5, Noble-street, Cheapside. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF BUTE, FIRST LORD OF HIS MAJESTY'S TREASURY, KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER, &c. &c. &c. MY LORD, WHATEVER may be the execution of the little performance which I have the honour to present to your lordship, it will derive some merit, I am persuaded, in your lordship's sight, from the good meaning wherewith it was written, from its suitableness to my profession, and from the importance of its subject. Perhaps too, its author's undissembled respect for your lordship may give it some additional value; for true respect, we are assured, can give value to the smallest offerings from the hands of the poorest. But, indeed, I did not know to whom I could, with greater propriety, inscribe a work of this nature, than to a nobleman whose regular life, a 2 and punctual discharge of all the social duties, must render Reflections on Death not unpleasing; whose regard to works of literature hath always been eminent and consistent; and who, though continually employed in affairs of the highest moment, hath testified that regard by the most favourable attention to men of science and learning. From hence, my lord, we are encouraged to promise the fairest days to good letters and good manners :-They cannot but flourish under your discerning eye, and the fostering patronage of our beloved MONARCH; in whose unsullied virtues, while his people felicitate themselves, no grateful man can be insensible of the honour which redounds to the illustrious person who had so considerable a share in forming the royal mind to virtue; and inspiring it with those great, just, and patriot sentiments, which have obtained to our sovereign, from his subjects, that most honourable of all appellations, the Good. Happy in your PRINCE's favour, my lord, and happy in the consciousness of your own integrity, you will go on to deserve and to obtain the esteem and affection of all men of science, of virtue, and religion. So will your name be placed |