In 1736, he published, in 8vo., “The History of Persecution, in four parts; viz. I. Amongst the heathens. II. Under the Christian emperors. III. Under the papacy and inquisition. IV. Amongst protestants. With a preface, containing remarks on Dr. Rogers’s Vindication of the civil establishment of religion.” In 1741, appeared, in 8vo., “A Vindication of the history of the Old Testament; in answer to the misrepresentations and calumnies of Thomas Morgan, M. D. and Moral Philosopher.” Dr. Leland observes, that in this work of our author he has clearly proved, that Morgan “hath been guilty of manifest falsehoods, and of the most gross perversions of the scripture history, even in those very instances in which he assures his reader he has kept close to the accounts given by the Hebrew historians.” He likewise published, in opposition to the same writer, in 1742, “A Defence of the prime ministry and character of Joseph.” In 1744, Mr. Chandler published, in 8vo., “The witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ reexamined, and their testimony proved entirely consistent.” This was a very important controversy, which was at that time much agitated; and Dr. Leland, who stiles our author’s piece upon the subject “a valuable treatise,” observes, that, in his last chapter, “he hath summed up the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus with great clearness and judgment.” In 1748, he published, in 8vo., “The case of subscription to explanatory articles of faith, as a qualification for admission into the christian ministry, calmly and impartially reviewed; in answer to, 1. A late pamphlet, entitled, The Church of England vindicated, in requiring subscription from the clergy to the Thirty-nine Articles. 2. The Rev. Mr. John White’s Appendix to his third letter to a dissenting gentleman. To which is added, The speech of the Rev. John Alphonso Turretine, previous to the abolition of all subscription at Geneva, translated from a manuscript in the French.” His writings having procured him a high reputation for learning and abilities, he might easily have obtained a doctor’s degree in divinity, and offers of that kind were made him; but for some time he declined the acceptance of a diploma, and, as he once said, in the pleasantness of conversation, because so many blockheads had been made doctors. However, upon making a visit to Scotland, in company with his friend, the Earl of Findlater and Seafield, he, with great propriety, accepted of this honour, which was conferred upon him without solicitation, and with every mark of respect, by the two universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. He had, likewise, the honour of being afterwards elected a fellow of the Royal Society, and of the Society of Antiquaries.