MARROW MEN. In 1646 there appeared, in the form of a dialogue, a work on Justification and Sanctification with the title " The Marrow of Modern Divinity." The author was described simply as E.F., and it has been thought by some that he is to be identified with Edward Fisher (ft. 1627-1655), a writer of anti-puritan tracts. Later the book attracted the attention of Thomas Boston (1677-1732), who recommended it to others. In 1718 it was reprinted, a preface being added by Thomas Hog. minister of Carnock, Fifeshire. The book was con demned by the General Assembly in 1720. Thomas Boston, with eleven persons who shared his views, defended the book and opposed the action of the General Assembly. On this account they were called " the twelve apostles " and " Marrow Men." Another name given to them was the " Representers," because they complained of the Act of Assembly in a document called a " Representation." The Church of Scotland was at this time divided into Moderates and Evangelicals. Thomas Hog, who wrote the preface to the new edition of " The Marrow of Modern Divinity," was an Evangeli cal. The real question as regards the book, says John
Hunt, was " the question of the extent of the use of reason in doctrines supposed to come by external revela tion. The Moderates virtually said that whatever the Bible meant, or whatever their standards meant, they could not regard as coming from God any doctrine which they knew to be unworthy of God. The Evangelicals said that however incomprehensible or apparently in con tradiction to our natural reason or conscience, any dogma may be, pit is to be received on the authority of external revelation. Thomas Boston, speaking of the Marrow of Modern Divinity,' says that the Gospel method of sancti fication and justification lies so far beyond natural reason, that all the rationalists, philosophers, and divines in the world could never have discovered it. But, on the con trary, if proposed for their acceptance on the ground of reason, they would have rejected it as foolishness." Another of the Marrow Men was Ralph Erskine (1685 1752). See John Hunt; J. H. Blunt; the D.N.B.