Eliot, John
, known by the title of the Apostle of
the North American Indians, from having been the first
that preached the gospel among them, was a native of
England, and born about the year 1604. He was educated
at Cambridge, and engaged himself as an assistant to a
school, which, Neal says, he was not permitted to continue,
on account of his puritanical notions; but for this we have
no other authority. It appears, however, that he was a
nonconformist in matters of church-government, and that
in 1631, in order to enjoy his own opinions uncontrouled,
he embarked for America, and succeeded a Mr. Wilson as
pastor of an independent church at Boston. He afterward^
removed to Roxburg, in New England, where Mr. Eliot
passed with some of his countrymen and friends the greater
part of his life in the active discharge of those duties which
belong to the pastoral office. In 1646, he began his
scheme of preaching to the native Indians, and for this
purpose learned their language; and, besides preaching
| among them with considerable success, and at much
hazard, he translated the Bible into the Indian language:
this was printed at Cambridge, in New England, in 1664,
and a short time before Mr. Eliot’s death, it was reprinted
with corrections by Mr. Cotton, his fellow-labourer in the
Indian mission. By the exertions and influence of this
excellent man, many of the wandering Indian tribes were
collected into regular societies, and formed into congregations, which were instructed by him, and by others who
joined him, in the manner best adapted to their capacities. At Roxburg he established a free grammar school,
which was eminently beneficial to the interests of learning
in the New England states: and among the Indians he
formed schools in which many were trained to useful knowledge, and some of whom became qualified for a liberal
education, which they afterwards received at college. The
measures adopted by Mr. Eliot were aided by large contributions from England, with which estates were purchased
and placed in the hands of trustees, who were afterwards
incorporated under the title of “The society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts.” This venerable
apostle continued his labours till he arrived at his eightyfourth year. He died in the latter end of 1689, having
attained to the great age of eighty-six.
He was undoubtedly one of the most useful persons of his age in the infant state of America; -and such
was his charity that he distributed all he received from his
own congregation among the Indians. He wrote several
pamphlets, giving accounts of the “Progress of the Gospel among the Indians in New England,” 4to, which were
regularly sent over to the corporation in London, and
printed by them. He published also an “Indian Grammar,” Camb. 1666, 4to; and “The Logiek Primer for
the use of the Indians,” 1672, 16mo. We are also told
that he was the author of a tract or volume called “The
Christian Republic,” which is said to have been published
in England about 1660, but that the governor and council
of Massachusetts, conceiving that it militated against the
established governments, and especially against the monarchy of the mother country, insisted upon its being suppressed, and that the author should retract his sentiments.
This he is said to have done, by allowing that a government by king, lords, and commons, has nothing in it
hostile to Christianity. Other works ace ascribed to
| him, which, we do not find mentioned by any of his biographers. 1
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Works found by this author (or others with similar names)in the Early English Books Online Collection:
Communion of churches: or, The divine management of Gospel-churches by the ordinance of councils, constituted in order according to the Scriptures. : As also, the way of bringing all Christian parishes to be particular reforming congregationall churches: humbly proposed, as a way which hath so much light from the Scriptures of truth, as that it may lawfully be submitted unto by all; and may, by the blessing of the Lord, be a means of uniting those two holy and eminent parties, the Presbyterians and the Congregationals. : As also to prepare for the hoped for resurrection of the churches; and to propose a way to bring all Christian nations unto an unity of the faith and order of the Gospel. / Written by John Eliot, teacher of Roxbury in N.E. ; [Two lines of Scripture texts]
The harmony of the Gospels, in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings of Jesus Christ, from his incarnation to his death and burial. / Published by John Eliot, teacher of the church in Roxbury. ; [Two lines from Acts]Bible. N.T. Gospels. English. Eliot. 1678.
A brief ansvver to a small book written by John Norcot against infant-baptisme. This answer is written by John Eliot for the sake of some of the flock of Jesus Christ who are ready to be staggered in point of infant-baptisme by reading his book.
Indian dialogues, for their instruction in that great sevice of Christ, in calling home their country-men to the knowledge of God, and of themselves, and of Iesus Christ. : [Seven lines from Malachi]
The Day-breaking, if not the sun-rising of the Gospell with the Indians in New-England (1647)
The Glorious progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New England manifested by three letters under the hand of that famous instrument of the Lord, Mr. John Eliot, and another from Mr. Thomas Mayhew, Jun., both preachers of the word, as well to the English as Indians in New England ... : together with an appendix to the foregoing letters, holding forth conjectures, observations, and applications, by I.D. ... / published by Edward Winslow. (1649)
The light appearing more and more towards the perfect day. Or, a farther discovery of the present state of the Indians in New-England, concerning the progresse of the Gospel amongst them. Manifested by letters from such as preacht to them there. / Published by Henry Whitfeld, late pastor to the Chuch [sic] of Christ at Gilford in New-England, who came late thence. (1651)
Strength out of weakness. Or A glorious manifestation of the further progresse of the gospel amongst the Indians in New-England. Held forth in sundry letters from divers ministers and others to the corporation established by Parliament for promoting the gospel among the heathen in New-England; and to particular members thereof since the last treatise to that effect, / formerly set forth by Mr Henry Whitfield late pastor of Gilford in New-England. ; Published by the aforesaid corporation. (1652)
Tears of repentance: or, A further narrative of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New-England: setting forth, not only their present state and condition, but sundry confessions of sin by diverse of the said Indians, wrought upon by the saving power of the Gospel; together with the manifestation of their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, and the work of grace upon their hearts. Related by Mr. Eliot and Mr. Mayhew, two faithful laborers in that work of the Lord. Published by the corporation for propagating the Gospel there, for the satisfaction and comfort of such as wish well thereunto. (1653)
A late and further manifestation of the progress of the gospel amongst the Indians in Nevv-England declaring their constant love and zeal to the truth : with a readiness to give accompt of their faith and hope, as of their desires in church communion to be partakers of the ordinances of Christ : being a narrative of the examinations of the Indians, about their knowledge in religion, by the elders of the churches / related by Mr. John Eliot. (1655)
The Christian Commonvvealth: or, The civil policy of the rising kingdom of Jesus Christ. Written before the interruption of the government, by Mr. John Eliot, teacher of the Church of Christ at Roxbury in New-England. And now published (after his consent given) by a server of the season. (1659)
A further accompt of the progresse of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New-England, and of the means used effectually to advance the same set forth in certaine letters sent from thence declaring a purpose of printing the Scriptures in the Indian tongue into which they are already translated : with which letters are likewise sent an epitome of some exhortations delivered by the Indians at a fast, as testimonies of their obedience tot he Gospell : as also some helps directing the Indians how to improve naturall reason unto the knowledge of the true God. (1659)
A further account of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New England: being a relation of the confessions made by several Indians (in the presence of the elders and members of several churches) in order to their admission into church-fellowship. Sent over to the corporation for propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ amongst the Indians in New England at London, by Mr John Elliot one of the laborers in the word amonsgt them. (1660)
Communion of churches, or, The divine management of gospel-churches by the ordinance of councils constituted in order according to the Scriptures as also the way of bringing all Christian parishes to be particular Reforming Congregationall Churches, humbly proposed as ... a means of uniting those two holy and eminent parties the Presbyterians and the Congregationals ... / written by John Eliot. (1665)
Indian dialogues for their instruction in that great service of Christ, in calling home their country-men to the knowledge of God, and of themselves, and of Iesus Christ. (1671)
A brief narrative of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New-England, in the year 1670 given in by the Reverend Mr. John Elliot, minister of the gospel there, in a letter by him directed to the right worshipfull the commissioners under His Majesties Great-Seal for propagation of the gospel amongst the poor blind natives in those United Colonies. (1671)
The harmony of the Gospels in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings of Jesus Christ from his incarnation to his death and burial published by John Eliot ... (1678)
Aduise giuen by a Catholike gentleman, to the nobilitie & commons of France, to ioyne together, and take armes speedily (by commandement of the King) against theeues and robbers, which are now abroade ruining the poore people setting downe an order and policie how they should take armes, to auoide all disorder and confusion amongst them. Whereunto is adioyned, a declaration published by the Duke de Mont-pencier for the reclaiming of the cleargie and nobilitie of Normandie, vnto his Maiesties obedience, &c. With certaine newes of the ouerthrow of the Gautiers, and diuerse other rebels against the French King, by the said Duke of Mont-pencier, on the sixt, and on the twentieth daie of Aprill. 1589. Translated out of the French into English, by I. Eliote. (1589)
The sicke-mans comfort against death and the deuill, the law and sinne, the wrath and iudgement of God. Translated out of Frenche into English, by I.E.Consolation et instruction aux malades contre l'appréhension. English. (1590)
The suruay or topographical description of France with a new mappe, helping greatly for the surueying of euery particular country, cittye, fortresse, riuer, mountaine, and forrest therein: collected out of sundry approued authors: very amply, truly, and historically digested, for the pleasure of those who desire to be throughly acquainted in the state of the kingdome & dominion of France. (1592)
Ortho-epia Gallica Eliots fruits for the French: enterlaced vvith a double nevv inuention, vvhich teacheth to speake truely, speedily and volubly the French-tongue. Pend for the practise, pleasure, and profit of all English gentlemen, who will endeuour by their owne paine, studie, and dilligence, to attaine the naturall accent, the true pronounciation, the swift and glib grace of this noble, famous, and courtly language. (1593)
Poems, or, Epigrams, satyrs, elegies, songs and sonnets, upon several persons and occasions (1658)