Note 23 — THE REVEREND PATRICK GALLOWAY TO KING JAMES VI.

Mr John Hall continued in the ministry until 1619, when he craved to be “dismissed with the King’s favour, in respect of his age and infirmitie of bodie, which he granted; yet he was not infirm but he might have continued teaching; for there was no sensible decay found in his gifts. The truth is, he would not offend the King by not conforming for fear of loosing of his pension; and, on the other side, would have the Godly believe that he was averse from the latest inovation. But they interpreted this forsaking of his station, after he had helped to set the house on fire, to proceed only from love of ease, lasiness, and fear to lose some part of his reputation, when his gifts should begin to fail. So he left his ministry of Edinburgh without the people’s consent, resting only upon the King’s demission.” Calderwood, 1678, folio, p. 723. These reasons, coming from an opponent, are not entitled to much weight. The plea of age is overlooked, and infirmity partially admitted. There certainly were sufficient reasons for Mr Hall’s relinquishing his clerical duties.