John Hall (Scotland)
Encyclopedia
John Hall was the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
, meeting in Burntisland
in 1601. The Assembly asked King James the VI of Scotland to order a revised translation of the Holy Scriptures (the Bible). It seems that this was the King’s own suggestion, but, despite expressing admiration for the King’s considerable linguistic and theological abilities, the Assembly declined to invite him onto the committee it set up to carry out this task. The main task was to revise an already existing English (that is to say, not Scots
) translation - the so-called Geneva Bible
which contained extensive footnotes and explanations, many of them not acceptable to the King. It was not until he became King James I of England that he commissioned a group of English clergy and scholars to complete this task. The result was the famous Authorised Version of the Scriptures, a book that has had enormous effects on the English language as well as on the civil and religious history of the English speaking peoples.
John Hall was born in Kirkcudbright
in about 1559, an area with later significant Covenanting associations. His father, Andrew Hall, was a merchant of the town. John trained for the Ministry of the Church of Scotland
and is recorded as being Minister of Colinton
, (or Hailes), in Edinburgh
in 1579. In 1586 he is recorded as being part of a commission to try some people in Lothian
suspected of heresy
. He was appointed Minister of Leith
on 24 October 1596. Two years later, on 7 December 1598, he was appointed Minister of the Second Charge (there were in effect two parishes based in the one Kirk
) at St Giles
, Edinburgh. In 1600, the King forbade him to preach anywhere in his kingdom, because he had declined to offer prayers of thanksgiving for the Kings safe deliverance for the Gowrie Conspiracy. Apparently, Hall did not fully believe there had been a plot to kill the king. However, when called before the Privy Council
on 10 September 1600, he declared himself satisfied that there had been a plot. He was reinstated. He was appointed constant Moderator of the Presbytery in 1606 and was twice a member of the Court of High Commission, which James used to enforce religious conformity. He later extended this to England
, (15 February 1610 and 21 December 1615). He was a member of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
in 1610.
In 1616, together with John Adamson, minister of Liberton, he wrote a Confession of Faith and Catechism. In 1617 he signed the Protestation for the Liberties of the Kirk. He later withdrew his protest. Being old and infirm, he resigned in March 1619. The same year he published his Catechism
in Edinburgh. He continued active in the politics of the time. He was suspected of encouraging opposition to the King’s policy in the church - so-called Articles of Perth
- so the Privy Council ordered him to retire to Montrose
. He died August 1627.
He was married to Margaret Arnot, and had four sons -John, William, Andrew (baptised
19 July 1601); and Robert (baptised 19 October 1604).
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The Moderator of the General Assembly of Church of Scotland is a Minister, Elder or Deacon of the Church of Scotland chosen to "moderate" the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is held for a week in Edinburgh every May....
, meeting in Burntisland
Burntisland
Burntisland is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, Scotland on the Firth of Forth. According to an estimate taken in 2008, the town has a population of 5,940....
in 1601. The Assembly asked King James the VI of Scotland to order a revised translation of the Holy Scriptures (the Bible). It seems that this was the King’s own suggestion, but, despite expressing admiration for the King’s considerable linguistic and theological abilities, the Assembly declined to invite him onto the committee it set up to carry out this task. The main task was to revise an already existing English (that is to say, not Scots
Scots language
Scots is the Germanic language variety spoken in Lowland Scotland and parts of Ulster . It is sometimes called Lowland Scots to distinguish it from Scottish Gaelic, the Celtic language variety spoken in most of the western Highlands and in the Hebrides.Since there are no universally accepted...
) translation - the so-called Geneva Bible
Geneva Bible
The Geneva Bible is one of the most historically significant translations of the Bible into the English language, preceding the King James translation by 51 years. It was the primary Bible of the 16th century Protestant movement and was the Bible used by William Shakespeare, Oliver Cromwell, John...
which contained extensive footnotes and explanations, many of them not acceptable to the King. It was not until he became King James I of England that he commissioned a group of English clergy and scholars to complete this task. The result was the famous Authorised Version of the Scriptures, a book that has had enormous effects on the English language as well as on the civil and religious history of the English speaking peoples.
John Hall was born in Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright, is a town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.The town lies south of Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie, in the part of Dumfries and Galloway known as the Stewartry, at the mouth of the River Dee, some six miles from the sea...
in about 1559, an area with later significant Covenanting associations. His father, Andrew Hall, was a merchant of the town. John trained for the Ministry of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
and is recorded as being Minister of Colinton
Colinton
Colinton is a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland situated 6 kilometres south west of the city centre. It is bordered by Dreghorn to the south and Craiglockhart to the north-east. To the north-west it extends to Lanark Road and to the south-west to the City Bypass...
, (or Hailes), in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in 1579. In 1586 he is recorded as being part of a commission to try some people in Lothian
Lothian
Lothian forms a traditional region of Scotland, lying between the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and the Lammermuir Hills....
suspected of heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
. He was appointed Minister of Leith
Leith
-South Leith v. North Leith:Up until the late 16th century Leith , comprised two separate towns on either side of the river....
on 24 October 1596. Two years later, on 7 December 1598, he was appointed Minister of the Second Charge (there were in effect two parishes based in the one Kirk
Kirk
Kirk can mean "church" in general or the Church of Scotland in particular. Many place names and personal names are also derived from it.-Basic meaning and etymology:...
) at St Giles
St. Giles' Cathedral
St Giles' Cathedral, more properly termed the High Kirk of Edinburgh, is the principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. Its distinctive crown steeple is a prominent feature of the city skyline, at about a third of the way down the Royal Mile which runs from the Castle to...
, Edinburgh. In 1600, the King forbade him to preach anywhere in his kingdom, because he had declined to offer prayers of thanksgiving for the Kings safe deliverance for the Gowrie Conspiracy. Apparently, Hall did not fully believe there had been a plot to kill the king. However, when called before the Privy Council
Privy Council of Scotland
The Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the King.In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of Scotland...
on 10 September 1600, he declared himself satisfied that there had been a plot. He was reinstated. He was appointed constant Moderator of the Presbytery in 1606 and was twice a member of the Court of High Commission, which James used to enforce religious conformity. He later extended this to England
Court of High Commission
The Court of High Commission was the supreme ecclesiastic court in England. It was instituted by the crown during the Reformation and finally dissolved by parliament in 1641...
, (15 February 1610 and 21 December 1615). He was a member of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the sovereign and highest court of the Church of Scotland, and is thus the Church's governing body[1] An Introduction to Practice and Procedure in the Church of Scotland, A Gordon McGillivray, 2nd Edition .-Church courts:As a Presbyterian church,...
in 1610.
In 1616, together with John Adamson, minister of Liberton, he wrote a Confession of Faith and Catechism. In 1617 he signed the Protestation for the Liberties of the Kirk. He later withdrew his protest. Being old and infirm, he resigned in March 1619. The same year he published his Catechism
Catechism
A catechism , i.e. to indoctrinate) is a summary or exposition of doctrine, traditionally used in Christian religious teaching from New Testament times to the present...
in Edinburgh. He continued active in the politics of the time. He was suspected of encouraging opposition to the King’s policy in the church - so-called Articles of Perth
Five Articles of Perth
The Five Articles of Perth was an attempt by King James VI of Scotland to impose practices on the Church of Scotland in an attempt to integrate it with the episcopalian Church of England...
- so the Privy Council ordered him to retire to Montrose
Montrose, Angus
Montrose is a coastal resort town and former royal burgh in Angus, Scotland. It is situated 38 miles north of Dundee between the mouths of the North and South Esk rivers...
. He died August 1627.
He was married to Margaret Arnot, and had four sons -John, William, Andrew (baptised
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
19 July 1601); and Robert (baptised 19 October 1604).
- Publication-Catechism Edinburgh 1619.