Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ellis, John (1599?-1665)
ELLIS, JOHN (1599?–1665), divine, born at Llandecwyn, Merionethshire, in or about 1599, entered Hart Hall, Oxford, in 1617, where, 'going through with infinite industry the several classes of logic and philosophy,' he proceeded B.A. 27 Feb. 1621, M.A. 29 April 1625 (Wood, Fasti Oxon., ed. Bliss, i. 397, 422). Three years later, having taken orders, he was elected fellow of Jesus College, and became B.D. 9 May 1632 (ib. i. 466). On going to Scotland soon afterwards he was admitted D.D. in the university of St. Andrews 'on the day before the calends of August' 1634, and on 21 Oct. following was incorporated at Oxford (ib. i. 477). Having before that time married Rebekhah, daughter of John Pettie of Stoke-Talmage, Oxfordshire, he was presented to the rectory of the neighbouring parish of Wheatfield, which he held until 1647, 'or thereabouts,' when he obtained the rectory of Dolgelly, Merionethshire. There he died in 1665, having, says Wood, 'sided with all parties and taken all oaths.' He was buried in the churchyard. His works are: 1. 'Commentarium in Obadiam Prophetam,' 8vo, London, 1641. 2.'Clavis Fidei, seu brevia quædam in Symbolum Apostolicum dictata scholaribus Aulæ Cervinæ in Academia Oxoniensi publicis prælectionibus proposita,' 12mo, Oxford, 1643. It was translated into English by William Fowler, 'a composer in the art of printing,' 8vo, Cambridge, 1669, and by H. Handley, 8vo, London, 1842. 3. 'Defensio Fidei: seu Responsio succincta ad Argumenta quibus impugnari solet Confessio Anglicana, unà cum nova Articulorum Versione,' 12mo, London, 1660 (a 2nd edit, as 'Articulorum xxxix Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ Defensio,' &c., together with the Lambeth Articles, appeared many years after Ellis's death, 12mo, Cambridge, 1694, and was often reprinted. An English version, by J. L. of Sutton Court, was published, 8vo, London, 1700).
[Wood's Athenæ Oxon. (Bliss), iii. 709.]