Pittis, Thomas

, an English divine, was born in the Isle of Wight, and became a commoner of Trinity | college, Oxford, in 1652, where, after taking the degree of B. A. he removed to Lincoln college, and had the reputation of a good disputant. Having taken his master’s degree he gave offence to the then ruling party in the university, by a speech he made in the character of Terrae Filius, for which he was expelled, in 1658. On the restoration he was preferred to the rectory of Gatcombe in the Isle of Wight, proceeded in his degrees of B. and D. D. and was made one of his majesty’s chaplains in ordinary. Dr. Morley, bishop of Winchester, gave him afterwards, the living of Holy Rood in Southampton, and the king the rectory of Lutterworth in Leicestershire, which he exchanged for that of St. Botolph Bishopsgate, London. This last he held at his death, along with the rectory of Gatcombe, his chaplainship, and the lectureship of Christchurch, Newgate-street. He died Dec. 28, 1687, and was buried at Gatcombe. Besides a few occasional sermons, he published, 1. “A private conference between a rich alderman and a poor country vicar,” &c. respecting the obligation of oaths, Lond. 1670, 8vo. 2. “A Discourse on Prayer,” &c. 1683, 8vo, and, which is still frequently to be met with. 3. “A discourse concerning the trial of Spirits,” against enthusiastic notions of inspiration, 1684, 8vo. ¹