MATTHIAS, FLACCUS, or FRANCOVITZ, one of the most learned divines of the Augsburg confession, born in Istria, anciently called Illyrica, in 1520. He is said to have been a man of vast genius, extensive learning, of great zeal against Popery; but of such a restless and passionate temper, as overbalanced all his good qualities, and occasioned much disturbance in the Protestant church. He published a great number of books, and died in 1575.