Wesley Corpus

Some Account of the Late Dr. Dodd Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 11 (Zondervan) Author: John Wesley --- 1. I HAVE been frequently desired to give some account of the conversations I had with Dr. Dodd. I could have done this more accurately some years ago, when they were fresh in my memory.” However, I will now set down what I can recollect. And it may enable many who love to think for themselves to form an impartial judgment of one that has been so variously represented. 2. I had no knowledge of Dr. Dodd till he told that excellent woman, Mrs. Lefevre, that he was going to publish something against Mr. Wesley. She advised him to send it to me first. He did so, and was so far at least satisfied with my answer, that his treatise against Christian perfection never saw the light. This was about thirty years ago. And here our intercourse ended; which indeed was very slight, as I had never seen him, either in private or public. 3. When he was imprisoned, he sent to me, desiring to see me. But I was not willing to go, supposing he only wanted me to intercede for him with great men; which I judged would be lost labour. He sent a second time, but I did not go. The gentleman who brought the third message told me plainly, “Sir, I will not go without you.” I then went with him to Wood-Street Compter, where the Doctor then was. The Keeper (an extremely well-behaved man) told me, “Sir, of all * Dr. Dodd was executed for forgery, June 27th, 1777; and this account was published in July, 1783,-EDIT. the prisoners that have been in this place, I have not seen such a one as Dr. Dodd. I could trust him in any part of the house.