Edward Fisher (theologian)
Encyclopedia
Edward Fisher was an English theological writer. He is generally considered the author of The Marrow of Modern Divinity (1645) by E. F., a work which influentially stated the doctrine of unconditional grace, and was at the centre of the later Marrow Controversy
. This is a view held since Thomas Tanner
's attribution of 1721, but it is contested by Alexander Gordon
in the Dictionary of National Biography
who considers it unlikely on internal evidence.
, Gloucestershire. In 1627 he entered as a gentleman commoner at Brasenose College, Oxford
, and graduated B.A. on 10 April 1630. He was noted for his knowledge of ecclesiastical history and classical languages. He was a royalist, and an upholder of the festivals of the church against the Puritan
s. He based the obligation of the Lord's day purely on ecclesiastical authority, declining to consider it Sabbath.
He succeeded to his father's estate in 1654, but finding it much encumbered he sold it in 1656 to Richard Graves. Getting into debt he retired to Carmarthen
and taught a school, but his creditors found him, and he left for Ireland. Here he died, at what date is not known. His body was brought to London for burial. He was married, but his wife died before him.
In Tanner's edition of Anthony Wood
's Athenae Oxonienses (1721), Fisher is identified with E. F., the author of the Marrow of Modern Divinity; and the identification has been accepted by Philip Bliss
, John Hill Burton
, and others. It is doubted by George Grub
. The author of the Marrow has been described as 'an illiterate barber,' but nothing seems known of him except that in his dedication to John Warner, the lord mayor, he speaks of himself as a 'poore inhabitant' of London. The following publications, all cast into the form of dialogue, and bearing the imprimatur of puritan licensers, are ascribed to the same hand:
Marrow Controversy
The Marrow Controversy was a Scottish ecclesiastical dispute occasioned by the republication in 1718 of The Marrow of Modern Divinity The Marrow Controversy was a Scottish ecclesiastical dispute occasioned by the republication in 1718 of The Marrow of Modern Divinity The Marrow Controversy was a...
. This is a view held since Thomas Tanner
Thomas Tanner (bishop)
Thomas Tanner was an English antiquary and prelate.-Life:He was born at Market Lavington in Wiltshire, and was educated at Queen's College, Oxford, taking holy orders in 1694...
's attribution of 1721, but it is contested by Alexander Gordon
Alexander Gordon (Unitarian)
Alexander Gordon was an English Unitarian minister and religious historian. A prolific contributor to the Dictionary of National Biography, he wrote for it well over seven hundred articles dealing mainly with nonconformists....
in the Dictionary of National Biography
Dictionary of National Biography
The Dictionary of National Biography is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published from 1885...
who considers it unlikely on internal evidence.
Life
He was the eldest son of Sir Edward Fisher, knight, of MickletonMickleton, Gloucestershire
Mickleton, with a population of 1551 , is the northernmost village in Gloucestershire, England.- Location :Mickleton lies close to the county border with Worcestershire and Warwickshire....
, Gloucestershire. In 1627 he entered as a gentleman commoner at Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, originally Brazen Nose College , is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. As of 2006, it has an estimated financial endowment of £98m...
, and graduated B.A. on 10 April 1630. He was noted for his knowledge of ecclesiastical history and classical languages. He was a royalist, and an upholder of the festivals of the church against the Puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
s. He based the obligation of the Lord's day purely on ecclesiastical authority, declining to consider it Sabbath.
He succeeded to his father's estate in 1654, but finding it much encumbered he sold it in 1656 to Richard Graves. Getting into debt he retired to Carmarthen
Carmarthen
Carmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
and taught a school, but his creditors found him, and he left for Ireland. Here he died, at what date is not known. His body was brought to London for burial. He was married, but his wife died before him.
Works by Fisher and E. F.
The publications uncontroversially identified as his are:- 'The Scriptures Harmony ... by E. F., Esq.,' &c., 1643.
- 'An Appeale to thy Conscience,' &c., without place, 'printed in the 19th yeare of our gracious lord King Charles,' &c. (anonymous).
- 'The Feast of Feasts, or the Celebration of the Sacred Nativity,' &c., Oxf. 1644, (anonymous, identified as Fisher's by the Bodleian Catalogue).
- 'A Christian Caveat to the old and new Sabbatarians, or a Vindication of our Gospel Festivals . . . By a Lover of Truth; a Defender of Christian Liberty; and an hearty Desirer of Peace, internall, externall, eternall to all men,' &c., 1649 (i.e. 1650 N.S.),; 4th edit. 1652, 'By Edward Fisher, Esq.,' has appended 'An Answer to Sixteen Queries touching the . . . observation of Christmass, propounded by Joseph Hemming of Uttoxeter' (reprinted 'Somers Tracts,' 1748, vol. iv.); 5th edit. 1653; another edit. 1655, has appended 'Questions preparatory to the more Christian Administration of the Lord's Supper ... by E. F., Esq.' The Caveat, which reckons Christmas day and Good Friday as of equal authority with the Lord's day, was attacked by John CollingesJohn CollingesJohn Collinges was an English presbyterian theologian, participant in the Savoy Conference, ejected minister, and prolific writer.-Life:...
and Giles CollierGiles CollierGiles Collier , was an English divine.Collier was the son of Giles Collier of Pershore, Worcestershire, in which county he was born in 1622. In Lent term 1637 he became either a battler or a servitor at New Inn Hall, Oxford, taking the degrees of B.A. and M.A. in 1641 and 1648 respectively...
. Parts of the 'Caveat' were reprinted by the Seventh Day Baptists of America, in 'Tracts on the Sabbath,' New York, 1853.
In Tanner's edition of Anthony Wood
Anthony Wood
Anthony Wood or Anthony à Wood was an English antiquary.-Early life:Anthony Wood was the fourth son of Thomas Wood , BCL of Oxford, where Anthony was born...
's Athenae Oxonienses (1721), Fisher is identified with E. F., the author of the Marrow of Modern Divinity; and the identification has been accepted by Philip Bliss
Philip Bliss
Philip Paul Bliss was an American composer, conductor, bass-baritone writer of hymns and a Gospel singer. He wrote many well-known hymns, including Almost Persuaded, Hallelujah, What a Saviour!, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, Wonderful Words of Life, and the tune for Horatio Spafford's It Is...
, John Hill Burton
John Hill Burton
John Hill Burton FRSE was a Scottish advocate, historian and economist. The author of "Life and Correspondence of David Hume", he was secretary of the Scottish Prison Board , and Historiographer Royal ....
, and others. It is doubted by George Grub
George Grub
George Grub was a Scottish church historian.He was born in Old Aberdeen, and educated at King's College there. He studied law, and was admitted in 1836 to the Society of Advocates, Aberdeen, of which he was librarian from 1841 until his death. He was appointed Lecturer on Scots Law in Marischal...
. The author of the Marrow has been described as 'an illiterate barber,' but nothing seems known of him except that in his dedication to John Warner, the lord mayor, he speaks of himself as a 'poore inhabitant' of London. The following publications, all cast into the form of dialogue, and bearing the imprimatur of puritan licensers, are ascribed to the same hand:
- The Marrow of Modern Divinity . . by E. F., &c., 1645; 4th edit. 1646, has recommendatory letters by Jeremiah Burroughes, William StrongWilliam Strong (minister)William Strong was an English clergyman and then pastor of an independent congregation, and member of the Westminster Assembly.-Life:...
, Joshua Sprigge, and Samuel Prittie. - 'A Touchstone for a Communicant ... by E. F.,' c., 1647, (Joseph CarylJoseph CarylJoseph Caryl was an English Nonconformist divine.-Life:He was born in London, educated at Merchant Taylors' School, and graduated at Exeter College, Oxford, and became preacher at Lincoln's Inn. He frequently preached before the Long Parliament, and was a member of the Westminster Assembly in 1643...
's imprimatur). - 'The Marrow of Modern Divinity: the Second Part ... by E. F.,' &c., 1649.
- 'London's Gate to the Lord's Table,' &c., 1647; the title-page is anonymous, but the signature 'E. F.' appears at the end of the dedication to Judge Henry RolleHenry RolleHenry Rolle was an English judge and Chief Justice of the King’s Bench.-Early life and career:Henry Rolle, the second son of Robert Rolle of Heanton Sachville, Devon , by Joan, daughter of Thomas Hele of Fleet in the same county, was born about 1589. John Rolle was his brother...
of the pleas, and Margaret his wife. - 'Faith in Five Fundamentall Principles . . . by E. F., a Seeker of the Truth,' &c., 1650.