Pisecius Thomas , (Polon. Pisecki,) of Martowitz, is called by some Piasecius, but must not be confounded with the Polish family of Piasecius, of whom Paul was celebrated for his "Chronicles," published at Cracow, A. D. 1643. In Walchius's "Bibliotheca Theologica," Thomas Pisecius is reckoned among the number of German Socinians. He was not a Pole, but a Silesian. For many years, however, he lived in Poland ; and in some of his published works he calls himself "Pisecki."

He was one of those, who frequented the Conferences held in the house of Smalcius at Racow, between the years 1606 and 1609. Zeltner calls him the greatest patron of the Crypto-Socinians at Altorf ; and tells us, that he was known among them by the name of Martius Piso. He was a man of varied learning ; remarkably skilful in conversation and debate ; and zealous in defending his own religious views, which were strictly Socinian,

It was through his acquaintance with Crellius, that Pisecius became connected with the Socinian party. Sandius and Bock were unable to learn the particulars of his birth and death ; but the former ascertained, from those who knew Pisecius, that he was living till near the middle of the seventeenth century, and was then about seventy years of age. This account is confirmed by the Synodical Acts, which testify that, in 1630, he was requested, at the Synod of Racow, to print something. Five years later than this, a written request was made to him by the Synod, that he would prepare some work for the press. In 1640, he is called an old man. At that time an allowance was granted to him by the Synod at Kissielin ; and the Acts state, that his debts were paid out of the funds of the Church. They also mention his son, to whom an exhibition was granted, by a vote of Synod, for the purpose of enabling him to study the Law.

We learn, from the Dedicatory Epistle to one of his works, that Thomas Pisecius had a brother, named Martin, who was a Doctor of Philosophy and Medicine. (Vide infra, No. 3.) He also had a sister, named Rosina, who has already been mentioned, as the wife of Simon Pistorius. The following is a list of his writings.

1. An Answer to the Ten Reasons of Edmund Campianus, the Jesuit, to prove that the Catholic Church is to be preferred to all others. Typ. Stern. Racow, 1610, 12mo. Pisecius dedicated this Answer to James Sieninius, Palatine of Podolia. The work of Campianus, to which it was a reply, was published in England, and dedicated to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

2. On the Origin of the Trinity. The manuscript of this treatise perished by fire, some time between the years 1590 and 1604.

3. Is the Doctrine of the Trinity a Mystery, hidden from before all Worlds, which ought to become known to Men by the Revelation of the Divine Word ? 1605, 8vo.; 1608 and 1654, 12mo. This is a part of the preceding treatise, which having been copied out before the fire consumed the original, escaped destruction. It is dedicated by the author to his brother Martin. The last reprint of it was in a very scarce volume, entitled, "Fausti et Laelii Socini, item Ernesti Soneri, Tractatus aliquot Theologici, nunquam antehac in Lucem editi. Eleutheropoli, 1654," 16mo. In this volume it occupies the sixth, and last place.

4. On Antichrist. Two Books, 8vo. This was published under the feigned name of Marcus Camillus, without any notification either of time or place ; and has been incorrectly ascribed by some to Jonas Schlichtingius, and by others to Elias Arcissevius, Jun. That Pisecius was himself the author of it Sandius affirms, not only on the ground of common report, but because he was able to verify that report by consulting the friends and relations of Pisecius.

5. Against Leonhard Less, the Jesuit. Bock, who was not able to give the exact title of this work, supposes it to have been a reply to Less's treatise, "On the Incarnation of the Word."

6. A Guide to the Peace of the Church. Eleutheropolis ; printed by Godfr. Philadelphus. 1650, 8vo. This work was really printed at Amsterdam, by the brothers, John and Cornelius Blaeu. It was published under the assumed name of Josephus Castim, the letters of which, by transposition, as Bock says, form the sentence Pacis Es Ostium. But that writer seems not to have been aware, that it is also the anagram of Thomas Pisecius, the author's real name.

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