HALL. JosErn, an English bishop, remarkable for his learning, piety, and mis fortunes. was born in 1574 at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He was educated at Emanuel college, Cambridge, of which he became a fellow. Entering the church, he became, in 1617, dean of Worcester, was one of the English deputies to the synod of Dort, was consecrated bishop of Exeter in 1627, and in 1641 was translated to Norwich. The latter years of his life were saddened by persecution. He was accused of Puri tanism, though he zealously defended the Espiscopacy. By attacking the Arminianism of archbishop Laud, he is said to have "exposed himself to the malignant and wanton attacks of that primate and his crew." In 1641, havina joined the prelates who pro tested against the validity of all laws passed during their forced absence from parlia ment, he was committed to the Tower, and threatened with prosecution for high treason, but was set at liberty, at the end of seven months, on finding bail for S5,000. On his return to Norwich, he found his revenues sequestrated and his property pillaged.
He rented a small farm at Higham, near Norwich, to which he retired, 1647, and. died in 1656, aged 82 years. His works, mostly of a controversial character, have been published in folio quarto, and octavo. A new edition, with autobiography, notes, etc.,, was published by the Rev. Josiah Pratt (Lend. 10 vols. 1808); a later edition by the Rev. Peter Hall, a descendant of Joseph kQxford, 12 vols. 1837-9). His writings most interesting at the present time are poetical Satires, written at college, which Pope, no mean judge of that species of composition, affirms to be "the best poetry and the truest satire in the English language." Hallam, however, (Lit. Hi.st. of Europe), accuses him of being "harsh and rugged," and asserts that " his lines frequently bear no visible connection in sense or grammar with their neighbors." Among his other works arc Contemplations, Art of Divine Meditation, and Enochismus, or Treatise on the _Mode of Walking with God.