Remembering Matthias of Janow on Reformation Day

I started working on a post for Reformation Day a couple of weeks ago and had planned on writing something about John Hus. The reason for this was to have an article for the Reformation Day Symposium. In the course of my research I found out about three men who preceded him in the Reformation that took place in Bohemia; these being Conard of Waldhausen, Militz of Kremsier, and Matthias of Janow. The more I read the more interesting one of these men became. That man was Matthias of Janow; simply referred to as Janow in the majority of the references I found.

The only thing that I have been able to determine about his early life was that his father was a Knight of Bohemia. But we do know that he was a well educated man. He had attended the University of Prague and while there he became a disciple of Militz. After completing his education at Prague he attended the University of Paris for six years, obtaining his Master of Arts. Because of his education and ambition, he visited Rome and Pope Urban VI appointed him as Canon of the Cathedral Church of Prague and confessor to King Charles IV, holding this office for thirteen years; from Oct 13, 1381 until his death on Nov 30, 1394

Although we do not know when and where Janow was converted we do have his conversation experience preserved for us as follows:

"Once my mind was encompassed by a thick wall; I thought of nothing but what delighted the eye and the ear, till it pleased the Lord Jesus to draw me as a brand from the burning. And while I, worst slave to my passions, was resisting Him in every way, he delivered me from the flames of Sodom, and brought me into the place of sorrow, of great adversities, and of much contempt. Then first I became poor and contrite; and searched with trembling the Word of God. I began to admire the truth in the Holy Scriptures, to see how, in all things, it must be exactly fulfilled; then first I began to wonder at the deep wiles of Satan, to see how he darkened the minds of all, even those who seemed to think themselves wisest. And the most pious Jesus elevated my mind, that I might understand men absorbed by vanity; and then, reading, I understood clearly the abomination of desolation, standing wide, high beyond measure, and firmly, in the holy place. And there entered me, that is, into my heart, a certain unusual, new, and powerful fire, but a very blessed fire, and which still continues to burn within me, and is kindled the more in proportion as I lift my soul in prayer to God and to our Lord Jesus Christ the Crucified; and it never abates nor leaves me, except when I forget the Lord Jesus Christ, and fail to observe the right discipline in eating and drinking; then I am enveloped in clouds, and unfitted for all good works, till, with my whole heart and with deep sorrow I return to Christ, the true Physician, the severe Judge, He who punishes all sin, even to idle words and foolish thoughts." (Jones, 1901)

While both Conard and Militz were excellent preachers, Janow was more prone to writing. His chief work was entitled Rule and Order of the Old and New Testament, as best as I can find it. (It would appear that the book remains in manuscript form and has not been translated.) From this work the influence of Militz can be seen.

Janow took great interest in the books of Daniel and Revelation as did Militz. Yet the subjects of this work had to do with the Roman Catholic Church taking over the authority of men, instead of the Word of God being of supreme import; the doctrine of the Eucharist and its denial of the cup to the laity is presented as adverse to Scripture; the confessional and its practice and etc. He saw all the saved as members of the priesthood and not just a special few. What he desired was not so much a reformation of the Church, but an abolishment of the whole Latin system that Rome had established. He saw the system as antichrist, and presented it as such in this work.

We can see that Janow felt that Antichrist was already actively at work in the church and the need to change this was at hand. Although he would not see it in his lifetime, he looked forward to a day when it would happen. This could not be more evident then the words that he spoke when he was dying. "The rage of the enemies of the truth now prevails against us; but it will not be forever: there shall arise one from among the common people, without sword or authority, and against him they shall not be able to prevail.” (Jones)

So in Bohemia Conrad tilled the ground, Militz planted the seeds, Janow faithfully watered, and Hus brought in the harvest.

For Further Study:

Kuhns, O. (1907). John Huss: The Witness target="_blank", pgs. 34-38. Cincinnati, OH: Jennings and Graham pgs. 34-38. (This book can be downloaded at Google Books)

Jones, A. (1901). Ecclesiastical Empire. pgs 637-645. Grand Rapids, MI: Review and Herald Publishing Company (This book can be downloaded at Maranatha Media)