Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/472

 CHANDLER. 461 diocese of Durham; and it is recorded greatly to his ho- nour, that he never sold any of his patent offices. He was a prelate of great erudition, and a diligent student; and rendered himself highly and deservedly esteemed, as a zealous supporter of the church of England, and perse- vering investigator of truth. He was author of an 8vo. volume, which has justly merited the encomiums of the learned, and it would be difficult to mention any work, containing altogether, so much learning and convincing argument in so small a space. It was entitled" A De- fence of Christianity, from the prophecies of the Old Tes- tament, wherein are considered all the objections against this kind of Proof advanced in a late Discourse on the Grounds and Reasons of the Christian Religion-London, 1725." It was so popular a work at the time of its publica- tion, that it compelled Collins to produce, in 1727, a second book, particularly in answer to Chandler, who at that period held the see of Litchfield. This was entitled "The Scheme of Literal Prophecy considered," and was the oc- casion of a second reply from the learned bishop, entitled “ A Vindication of the Defence of Christianity from the Prophecies of the Old Testament;" this was published in 1708, and in this work with great copiousness and learn- ing, he convincingly vindicates the antiquity and autho- rity of the Book of Daniel, and the application of the pro- phecies contained therein to the Messiah, against the propositions and objections of Collias, and also fully refutes his arguments advanced against the antiquity and universality of the tradition, and expectation among the Jews, concerning the Messiah. His other publications were eight occasional sermons; the "Chronological Dis- sertation" prefixed to Arnold's Commentary on the Book of Ecclesiasticus; and a Preface to a posthumous work of Dr. Ralph Cudworth's, entitled A Treatise concerning Eternal and Immutable Morality."