Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hoyle, Joshua
HOYLE, JOSHUA, D.D. (d. 1654), puritan divine, was born at Sowerby, near Halifax, Yorkshire, and educated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford. Being invited to Dublin, probably by relatives (Catalogue of Graduates in University of Dublin, p.284), he became fellow of Trinity College, apparently in 1609, received his doctor's degree, and was made professor of divinity in the university. Wood describes the learning of his lectures and his sermons. In 1641, on the breaking out of the rebellion, he took refuge in London, where he was made vicar of Stepney. His preaching was found 'too scholastical' for his London congregation. In 1643 he became a member of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, and regularly attended its meetings. He was presented to the living of Sturminster Marshall, Dorsetshire, by the House of Commons in February 1642-3 (Journals of the House of Commons, ii. 973). He gave evidence against Laud as to his policy when chancellor of Dublin University (cf. Laud, Works, iv. 297; Prynne, Canterburies Doome, &c., pp. 178, 359). In 1648, having been for some time employed by the committee of parliament for the reformation of the university of Oxford, he was appointed master of University College and regius professor of divinity. A canonry of Christ Church,which had been appropriated for the support of the professorship, was assigned to another before Hoyle's appointment, and, since the income of the master of University College was very small, Hoyle complained with reason of straitened means. He died on 6 Dec. 1654, and was buried in the old chapel of University College.
Hoyle's learning was esteemed by Archbishop Ussher, in whose vindication he wrote 'A Rejoynder to Master Malone's Reply concerning Reall Presence,' Dublin, 1641, 4to. A sermon preached by J. H., printed in 1645 with the title 'Jehojades Justice against Mattan, Baal's Priest,' &c., is attributed to Hoyle.
[Wood's Athenæ Oxon. (Bliss), iii. 382, 507, 1146, iv. 398; Brook's Puritans, iii. 226; Neal's Hist. of the Puritans, iii. 393; Register of the Visitors of the Univ. of Oxford, 1647-58, ed. Professor Burrows (Camden Soc.)]