The ASPERSIONS thrown upon him by a Modern
Author, are proved to be falfe and malicious: And
the Right the Royal Patriarch has, not only in a po-
litical, but likewife in a moral and religious Senfe,
to the Title of being THE MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN
HEART, is impartially ftated and confidered.

By JOHN FRANCIS, M. A.
Vicar of Lakenham, near Norwich.

Nevertheless for DAVID's Sake did the Lord his God give him a
Lamp in Jerufalem, to fet up his Son after him, and to efta-
blifh Jerufalem: Becaufe DAVID did that which was right
in the Eyes of the Lord, and turned not afide from any thing
that he commanded him all the Days of his Life, fave only in
the Matter of URIAH the Hittite. I KINGS XV. 4, 5.
He was a Man of wonderful Goodness, and endued with all the
royal Excellencies that might qualify a Prince for the Discharge
of fo great a Truft. He was temperate and fober; affable to
all; tender towards People in Diftrefs; righteous and humane;
which are all princely Virtues. He was a Prince, in short, that
never made an ill Ufe of his Power, faving only in the Cafe
of the Wife of URIAH. JOSEPHUS ANTIQ. B. vii. Ch. 12.

LONDON:

Printed for J. NEWBERY, in St. Paul's Church-yard:
And Sold by the Bookfellers in Town and Country.
M DCC LXIV.

GEORGE SANDBY, D. D.

MASTER of MAGDALEN College in CAMBRIDGE.

REVEREND SIR,

HE following Sheets beg leave to shelter themselves under the Patronage

TH

of Your Name, as their Author's Obfcurity, and their own Inaccuracy, would elfe almost incapacitate them from making their Appearance in public, without such a Support. Many may, indeed, think it a needlefs Piece of Vanity in me, to attempt. offering to the Public any Production of mine upon a Subject, which has already been copiously handled by Pens much fuperior. This I am very confcious of; but as, I think, I have confidered the Character of the Royal Patriarch in a Light fomewhat different to what other Authors have already done, I am in Hopes the following Pages may contain fome Arguments paffed over in Silence by those learned Writers; which may, however, tend to advance the Glory of God, and thereby

A 2

thereby promote the Benefit of Mankind, by confidering the Character of the Royal Patriarch in fuch a Light, as may make him be reckoned more worthy of the Title of being the Man after God's own Heart, than he has hitherto generally been. I hope this will plead in my Excufe, efpecially as it may be a Means of setting fome abler Pen to work, who will do more Justice to the Subject.

THE Connection that fubfifts between us, and the many particular Favours I have already received from You, were the Reasons which emboldened me to take this Freedom; by pardoning which, you will add another Obligation to thofe already conferred upon,

REVEREND SIR,

Your most obedient,

Obliged, bumble Servant,

TOPCROFT, Feb. 29, 1764.

JOHN FRANCIS.