the Rev. W. Turner , Jun. , MA., Lives of the eminent Unitarians

[265] in which he lived; all which should be taken into the account in forming an estimate of the character of a person who lived in a remote age and nation, and under circumstances widely different from any which at present exist. In many instances he also shewed clearly that his opponent had been misled by relying implicitly on the common translation; and here his learning and critical skill were brought into the field to great advantage. It must, however, be admitted that he was not only betrayed into too great a warmth of argument, but was led, as is often the case in the ardour of controversy, to go too far into the opposite extreme, and undertake the defence of many things which are altogether incapable of vindication. This is still more remarkably the case with the more detailed and elaborate work which he afterwards published, entitled, ‘A Critical History of the Life of David, in which the principal Events are ranged in Order of Time;—the chief objections against the character of this prince, and the scripture account of him, and the occurrences of his reign, are examined and refuted, and the Psalms which refer to him explained.’ This is generally considered as one of the ablest of Dr. Chandler's productions, and perhaps with reason; but certainly his panegyric of his hero is far too unmeasured and indiscriminate; and he is betrayed into coming forward as the advocate, both of actions in the life and reign of David, and of sentiments in the Psalms commonly ascribed to him, which it would have been more discreet in a Christian minister to give up as indefensible, or to content himself with offering such an apology as might be suggested by a reference to the ruder