Falconius Thomas

Falconius Thomas

F alconius Thomas, a Lithuanian, was induced to abandon the Trinitarian faith by George Blandrata. Lubieniecius reckons him among the earliest of the Polish reformers. He was at first a noviciate in the Cathedral Church of Lublin, and in the year 1566 Minister of the Church of Kleck, under Prince Nicholas Radzivil. Some account of him is given in Erasmus Otvinovius's "Christian Heroes." This work was originally written in Polish verse ; and extracts from it were made by Benedict Wissowatius, and published in Latin, at the end of Wengerscius's "History of the Slavonian Reformation. Amst. 1679," 4to. We learn from this account, that, on embracing Protestantism, Thomas Falconius was thrown into prison, but remained steadfast to the new principles which he had adopted ; and that, after his liberation, he was appointed Chaplain to Prince Nicholas Radzivil. He is said to have assisted Simon Budnaeus, in translating the Bible into the Polish language. His works were as follow.

1. The Acts and Sayings of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, recorded for the lasting Solace of God's Elect, by Witnesses and Writers ordained of God, and illustrated by brief explanatory Notes. This work, which was in the Polish language, and is called "a Harmony of the Evangelists" by Sandius and Lubieniecius, was not properly a Monotessaron ; but a narrative of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, compiled from the synoptical Gospels alone ; to which was added a separate commentary on the Gospel of John. The author thinks, that the evangelical narratives were not written in chronological order.

2. The latter Book of St. Luke, called "The History" or "Acts of the Apostles," with brief explanatory Notes. This was written upon the same plan as the preceding, and both were printed at Brzesk, in Lithuania, in the year 1566.

3. 4. Two Letters to the Synod of Brzeziny, on the subject of Baptism. 1565. MSS.

5. A Polish Song, which acquired great popularity, and was inserted in many Collections, is also attributed to Thomas Falconius.

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