'66 DELAN.Y. his generous disposition, and to express by a donation his regard to the interests of the college of which he had long been a member. A third edition of his theological work appeared in 1735. In the year 1788 he published a very singular production, “Reflections upon Polygamy, and the Encouragement given to that Practice in the Old Tes tament.” There is much learning and talent evinced in this work; and the disorders and mischiefs which arise from the practice of polygamy, are clearly evinced; but the arguments brought forward in answer to the pleas de ‘duced for it from the practice of it by the worthies of the Old Testament, are not equally conclusive and satis factory. In the course of his work he had to consider the case of David, and it is likely, he was hence induced to examine what farther related to the case of that great Jewish monarch. As the result of his inquiries, he pub lished “An Historical Account of the Life and Reign of David, King of Israel; interspersed with various Conjec tures, Digressions, and Disquisitions.” The first volume appeared in 1741, and the second and third in 1742. Con 'siderable critical skill, and much valuable information are displayed in these volumes; and some animadversions of Boyle, in his dictionary, under the head David, are ably confuted. There i s , however, the same objection against this work a s against his former productions; and h e uni formly evinces a disposition t o palliate o r defend the crimes o f David, which ought ever t o b e held i n detesta tion, and which the sacred writings leave open t o censure. There i s n o necessity t o attempt for the honour o f religion "an excuse for what was blameable; and the Scriptures i n this respect, superior t o most biographical writings, d o not conceal defects, but exhibit warnings a s well a s examples. Dr. Delany, who had lost his first wife Dec. 6th, 1741, sought consolation i n 1748, b y a marriage with Mrs. Mary Pendarves, widow o f Alexander Pendarves, Esq. a very in genious and excellent lady, with whom h e lived for twenty
