The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Guillaume Farel
The Life of William Farellus, who died Ano Christi 1555.
WIlliam Farellus was borne in the Delphinate, of a Noble Family,His birth and education. Anno Christi 1589. and sent to Paris to be brought up in learning, and was one of the first that made a publick Profession of the Gospel in France. But when persecution arose, he fled into Helvetia, the better to propagate the Gospel, where he grew into familiarity with Zuinglius, Occolampadius, Bartholdus, Flight …n persecutio….and Hallerus. Anno Christi 1524. he went to Basil, where he profered a publick disputation with the Popish Divines of that place, but the Masters of the Universitie would not suffer it, saying,He challengeth t…e Papists. That his Theses savoured of the new Doctrine; till the Senate being informed hereof, gave him free liberty of disputing, and then Farellus set up his Theses publickly in the Colledge, which were these. Christus nobis perfectam vivendi regulam praescripsit. Christi mandata sunt observanda: His Theses.in quibus iis qui continentiae donum non habent, matrimonium praecipitur. Alienum est evangelii luce, & Judaicum, discrimen vestitus, ciborum & aliarum ceremonia…um observare. Periculosae sunt preces mu…torum verborum, contra Christi mandatum. Christi mandata non sunt in consilia convertenda, n…c contra. Soli Deo Sacrificia offerenda, quae Spiritus dictat, &c.
When these Positions were divulged, the Bishops Vicar, the Rector, and Governours of the University forbade all under them, upon pain of excommunication, either to dispute or to harken to them. The Senate on the contrary thinking that this command derogated from their authority, commanded their Parish Ministers, and students of the University that they should be present, and if they did otherwise, they forbad them the use of their mills, furnaces and Merchandize. Hereupon a Disputation ensued in a great Assembly of the Clergy and Citizens. But shortly after the Bishops Vicar, and the Rector of the University, and their Popish faction drove him by force from Basil, their darknesse not enduring the light.He is driven from Basil. Neither was the servant greater then his Master.
From thence he went to Mont-Bellicard and to some other places, where he preached the Gospel with so much fervour and zeal, that it was evident unto all, that he was called of God thereunto.
Anno Christi, 1527. he went to a certain Towne called AElin, where he preached the Gospel, and was admonished by Occolampadius to mingle prudence with his z…al.His Labors. Anno 1528. he went to Aquileta amongst the Bernates, where he preached Christ, and undauntedly opposed Antichrist; disputing also with divers at Bern, whereupon ensued a wonderfull change in Ecclesiasticall affaires. Anno Christi 1528. he with V…ret went to Geneva, He goes to Geneva.where they planted the Church, and propagated the Gospel, and many of the Citizens imbraced it; yet at first not so much out of love to the truth as out of hatred to Popish Tyranny.
Long he had not been there before the Bishops Officers drew him into the Bishops Count, which two of the Studies much disliked, the rather because Farell promised them that he would prove all his Doctrine out of the holy Scriptures;Popish malice. So that they accompanied him into the Bishops Court, that they might see all things to proceed in judgement lawfully: but it fell out otherwise: For the Judge of the Court would by no means endure a Disputation, saying,Popish rage. If that be suffered, all our mystery will be destroyed; and withall railing upon Farell, he said, Thou most wicked devill, why camest thou to this City to trouble us? I am not (answered Farel) as you call me, but I preach Jesus Christ who was crucified for our sins,His zeal and courage. and rose againe, and he that beleeveth in his name shall bee saved: This is the summe of my arrant: I am a debtor unto all that are ready to hear, and obey the Gospel, desiring this onelyonly, that the obedience of Faith may flourish every where; and I came into this City to see if there were any that would lend me he hearing, and I wilrender an account of my faith and hope every where; and will confirm my Doctrine with my blood if need be.The High Priests charge. Then cryed out one of the Court in Latine; He hath blasphemed, what need we any more witnesses? He is guilty of death. Hurle him into Rhodanus: Hurle him into the Rhodanus; its better this one Lutheran should be put to death, then that further troubles should be raised.
Farel answered;Popish malice. Do not utter the words of Caiphas, but of God. Then one strake him on the mouth with his fist, and hee was commanded to stand aside as if they would consult, and in the interim he was shot at with a gunne by the Vicars serving-man,Gods mercy. but it hit him not, God defending his servant. And though one of the Syndics favoured him, yet now the other shrunk from him, so that the Bishops Councell prevailed that he should be driven out of the City.He is driven from Geneva. And thus being accompanyed with some Citizens, hee, and his partner Anthony Salner were expelled the City, but God turned it to the great good of others, for they sowed the seed of the Word in the neighbouring Country, by the side of the Lake Lemannus, viz. at Orba and Granson. Neither yet (through Gods power and goodnesse) was the work interrupted at Geneva: For just at the same time came a young man of the Delphinate, A speciall providence.called Anthony Frumentius, who entering into the City taught a publick School, & together with the Rudiments of Grammer, he most happily layd the Foundation of Christian Religion in the hearts and mindes of his Scholars, which were not a few.
Anno Christi 1541, Master Farel went to Metis, and preached in the Church-yard of the Dominicans; He goes to Metis.The Friers, when they could not otherwise hinder him, rang their Bells: But he having a strong voice, did so strain it, that he went on audibly to the end of his Sermon. The day after there came about three thousand persons together to hear the Word of God; but some that favoured the Gospel, intreated Mr. Farel so long to forbear, as till he might preach without a tumult. Then was he questioned by the Magistrates, by what authority, or by whose request he preached. To which hee answered, By the command of Christ, and at the request of his Members: Gravely discoursing both of his own authority, and of the excellency of the Gospel; telling the Magistrate what his duty was in reference thereunto. But shortly after, by the command of the Emperour, the Citizens of Metis were forbidden to hear any man preach who was not licensed by the Bishop, and some others. Whereupon Mr. Farel went from thence to Neocome, He goes to Neocome.where he wholly employed himself in the service of the Church, performing the office of a faithfull Pastor to extreame old age, with admirable zeale and diligence.
When he heard of Calvin's sicknesse in the year 1564,His Friendship hee could not satisfie himself, though he was seventy years old, but he must goe to Geneva to visit him. He survived Calvin one year,His death. and odde moneths, and died aged 76 years, Anno Christi 1565.
Anno Christi 1553, the Genevians (though they owed themselves wholly to him) yet were carried on with such fury,Sathans malice that they would have condemned Farel to death; and did such things against him, that Calvin wished hee might might have expiated their anger with his blood.
This was that Farel who (discouraged by no difficulties, deterred with no threatnings, reproaches, or stripes) gained to Christ multitudes in Montbelgard, Aquileia, Lausanna, Geneva, and Neocome. The great effects of his Ministery.There was in him, besides piety, learning, innocency of life, and exemplary modesty, a certain singular presence of mind, sharp wit, and vehemency of speech, so that he rather seemed to thunder then speak; and lastly such admirable fervency in his prayers,His Character. that he seemed to carry his hearers into heaven with him.
Farellus concionibus magis quam scriptionibus operam dedit: Edidit tamen Themata quaedam disputanda Basiliae,His Works. excusa Latinè & Germanicè. Disputationem Bernae habitam Latinè anno 1528.
Beza made these verses of him.
Gallica mirata est Calvinum Ecclesia semper,
Quo nemo docuit doctius.
Est quo que te semper mirata, Farelle, tonantem,
Quo nemo tonuit fortius.