ELLIOT. 485 ministry of the gospel ; but he was at a loss for an oppor- tunity. He had imbibed the principles of nonconformity, and therefore could not enter upon any stated charge on the terms required of the clergy. The ruling prelates of the Laudian faction were at this time stopping the mouths of all the learned and useful ministers in the nation, who could not in conscience observe their popish and superstitious impo- sitions. It appeared to young Elliot, that a conformity to these impositions, in the worship of God, was a direct viola- tion of the second commandment. His conscience not per- mitting him to observe the unwarrantable ceremonies, he was not suffered to preach in any part of England. Great numbers of people were driven out of the nation by the arbitrary and cruel proceedings of the bishops ; amonc, whom was Mr:Elliot, who, in the year 1631, fled to New England. On his arrival in the new colony, he joined himself, to Mr. Wilson's church at Boston, where he preached occasionally for some time. But, the year following, several of his old acquaintance following him to New England, he settled with them at Roxbury, and was chosen pastor of the church, in which office he continued among them almost sixty years. Mr. Elliot was a man of distinguished eminence. His piety was most exemplary. He lived under' the habitual influence of a praying heart. He knew, by happy expe- rience, the utility of private prayer, and was ever urgent in promoting it among others. When he was informed of any important public news, he would say, " Brethren, let us turn all this into prayer." When he paid a visit to his intimate friends, he used to say, " Come, let us not have a visit without prayer. Let us pray down the blessing of heaven on your family before we go." And whenever he was in, the company of ministers, he said, " Brethren, the Lord Jesus takes notice of what is said and done among his ministers. Come, let us pray before we part." He had an exceedingly high value for his Bible, was a close student of that sacred volume, and a constant and useful preacher. He Jived, in a great measure, as if he were in heaven while upon the earth.. Mr. Elliot was most exemplary in the duty of mortifica- tion. It could never be said, that be sought great things for himself. This, world, and all things in it, were to him just what they ought to be to a dying man. He looked upon them all as mere trifles. He always rose early in the morning, S Mather's Hist. of Now gag. b. iii. p. 17$, 176. 1"-M/11111111111_NrrirakilkW,s
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