Joseph Hall

Date of Birth: July 1, 1574

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: September 8, 1656

Biography

Joseph Hall was an English bishop, satirist, and moral philosopher, born on July 1, 1574, in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England. Hall was known for his eloquent and persuasive style, both in his sermons and literary works. He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he developed his theological and philosophical foundations. Hall was appointed Bishop of Exeter in 1627 and later translated to the See of Norwich in 1641. Despite facing significant challenges during the English Civil War, including imprisonment and the sequestration of his property, Hall continued to write prolifically. His works include “Episcopacy by Divine Right Asserted,” “The Art of Divine Meditation,” and “The Contemplations,” which are considered classics of English devotional literature. Hall passed away on September 8, 1656, leaving behind a legacy of religious and literary contributions that continue to be studied and admired.

5 Interesting Facts about Joseph Hall

1. Joseph Hall was known as the “Christian Seneca” due to his moralistic writings and aphorisms.

2. He was one of the earliest English satirists, with his work “Virgidemiarum” being the first English satire to be written entirely in verse.

3. Hall was imprisoned during the English Civil War for his Royalist sympathies and his defense of the episcopal church system.

4. He was a member of the famous Westminster Assembly, although he was a staunch defender of episcopacy, which was in opposition to the majority of the assembly’s Presbyterian views.

5. Hall’s writings have influenced many later religious thinkers and writers, including John Bunyan and Richard Baxter.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Joseph Hall

1. “Moderation is the silken string running through the pearl chain of all virtues.”

2. “It is not the place that sanctifies the person, but the person that sanctifies the place.”

3. “Satan dreads nothing but prayer.”

4. “A man without God is like a ship without a rudder.”

5. “He who hath never warred with his own heart is no true soldier.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Joseph Hall’s highest net worth is not well-documented due to the period in which he lived. However, he was known to have been reasonably well-off due to his ecclesiastical positions before his property was sequestered during the English Civil War.

Children

Joseph Hall had twelve children with his wife, Elizabeth Winniffe. Several of his children followed in his footsteps in ecclesiastical careers, although detailed records of all his children are sparse.