The title—"James Hog of Carnock (1658-1734), Leader in the
Evangelical Party in Early Eighteenth Century Scotland"-—has been
the limiting factor in the development and scope of this thesis.
It is not without significance that Hog is described as "Leader
in the Evangelical Party": the claim is not that he was the leader
of that school; but he is presented herein as one of the leaders in
the Evangelical party. This means that the share of Thomas Boston,
the Erskines, and others of that group in Evangelical leadership
is by no means denied, but it is not the scope of this thesis to
give an exhaustive study of these particular men, of their party,
or even of the various controversies herein discussed. Their
contributions are for the most part not included in the thesis,
or are included only insofar as is necessary to establish Hog's
function in the various scenes, to balance the discussion, or to
throw light upon the overall picture. In other words, the various
subjects presented in the thesis are developed as James Hog impinged
upon them, or as they impinged upon James Hog.
The words "Evangelical Party" are intended to apply in a broad
way,for it is an accepted fact that there was, during the period
under consideration, no hard and fast Evangelical—as opposed to
Moderate—party. It was more properly an Evangelical school
and as such the words are understood and developed.
Throughout his ministry, as Churchman, theologian, author,
publisher, and pastor, James Hog/ adhered firmly to the ancient
and received doctrines of the Reformed Church. He was not in
truth a creative thinker, an innovator, or a deviator from the
old paths; but an agitator, a proclalmer, and a propagator of
the Reformed theology. One change of emphasis alone appears
in his teachings: Prom about &718 he was at greater pains to
articulate more forcibly and boldly than he had previously done
the love of "our good and gracious Lord". This love he could
affirm most constrainingly when he was sorely afflicted by virtue
of his recommendation of the Marrow and his preaching the doctrines
of grace.
An appeal for and courageous testimony to the spiritual
independence of the Church; the Word of God the only rule of
faith and practice; the depravity of natural man; God's sovereignty
in grace; justification by faith alone; the sufficiency of the
Savior; the grace of faith; purity of life in gratitude to the
love of God in Christ; and the Communion of Saints: this was the
emphasis of James Hog as an Evangelical leader. The words, grace
and faith, are the two keynotes of his teaching. If Hog were
asked to state in a few words the quintessence of his message
to Scotland, his quick reply would almost certainly be, "The
sufficiency of the sacrifice, and the suitableness of the Savior
for all, and for every man, who will talce him as he is offered
in the gospel." In the final analysis, it was not only the nature
and emphasis of his message, but also his sterling character, his
indomitable spirit, and the impact of his dynamic personality, which
was of an Evangelical color in itself, that constituted Jarae3 Hog
an Evangelical leader in early eighteenth century Scotland.
