Hall's Contemplations on the Old and New Testament (2 vols)

Bishop Joseph Hall (1574-1656) was an English bishop, writer, and theologian who was known for his eloquence, wit, and piety. He was born in Bristow Park, Leicestershire, England and was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. He was later appointed as a fellow at the college and became a prominent preacher in the Church of England.

Hall is perhaps best known for his devotional writings, which include “The Art of Divine Meditation” and “Contemplations on the Old and New Testaments”. He was also a prolific writer of prose and poetry and wrote several works on theology, politics, and moral philosophy. His works include “The Triumphs of Rome Over Despised Love”, “Characters of Virtues and Vices”, and “Epistles, Decades of Epistles, Meditations and Vows”.

Hall was appointed as Bishop of Exeter in 1627 and later served as Bishop of Norwich from 1641 until his death. He was a moderate and conciliatory figure who sought to promote unity and peace within the Church of England, especially during the tumultuous period of the English Civil War. He opposed both the excesses of the Puritans and the authoritarianism of the Royalists, and sought to mediate between the two sides. He died in 1656 at the age of 82 and was buried in the chapel of his former college, Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Hall’s legacy as a writer and theologian has endured to the present day, and his works continue to be read and studied by scholars and laypeople alike.