From
CLARK’S Lives.
[William
Farell was a French-speaking pastor of the Reformation. It was he who
persuaded John Calvin to settle in the city of
Geneva.]
5. FARELLUS. – In 1527, he went to a certain town called Elin,
where he preached the gospel, and was admonished by Œcolampadius to mingle
prudence with his zeal. In 1528, he went to
Aquileia
amongst the
Bernates, where he preached Christ, and undauntedly opposed Antichrist;
disputing also with divers at
Bern, whereupon ensued
a wonderful change in ecclesiastical affairs. In 1528, he with Viret went to Geneva, where they planted
the church, and propagated the gospel, and many of the citizens embraced it;
yet at first not so much out of love to the truth, as out of hatred to the
Popish tyranny. Long he had not been there before he was drawn into the
bishop’s court, which two of the Syndics much disliked, the rather because
Farell promised them that he would prove all his doctrine out of the Holy
Scriptures; so that they accompanied him into the bishop’s court, that they
might see all things to proceed in judgment lawfully; but it fell out
otherways: for the judge of the court would by no means endure a disputation,
saying, if that be suffered, all our mystery would be destroyed; and withal
railing upon Farell, he said, thou most wicked devil, why camest thou to this
city to trouble us? I am not (answered Farell) as you call me, but I preach
Jesus Christ who was crucified for our sins, and rose again, and he that
believeth in his name shall be saved: this is the sum of my errand: I am a
debtor unto all that are ready to hear, and obey the gospel, desiring this
only, 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 the hearing, and I will
render an account of my faith and hope every where; and will confirm my
doctrine with my blood if need be. Then cried out one of the court in Latin;
he hath blasphemed, what need we any more witnesses? he is guilty of death.
Hurl him into the
Rhone: hurl him into the
Rhone. ‘Tis better this
one Lutheran should be put to death, than that further troubles should be
raised. Farell answered; do not utter the words of Caiaphas, but of God. Then
one struck him on the mouth with his fist, and he was commanded to stand aside
as if they would consult, and in the interim he was shot at with a gun by the
vicar’s servant, 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 council prevailed that he should be driven out of the city. And
thus being accompanied with some citizens, he, 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 Lemain, viz. at Orba and Granson. Neither yet (through God’s power
and goodness) was the work interrupted at Geneva: for just at the same time
came a young man of the Delphinate, called Anthony Frumintius, who entering
into the city taught a public school, and together with the rudiments of
grammar, he most happily laid the foundation of Christian religion in the
hearts and minds of the scholars, which were not a few. In 1541, Farell went
to Metz, and preached in
the church-yard of the Dominicans; the friars, when they could not otherways
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 to hear the word of God; but some that favoured
the gospel, intreated Mr Farell 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 he 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
magistrates what his duty was in reference thereunto. But shortly after, by
the command of the Emperor, the citizens of
Metz were forbidden to
hear any man preach who was not licensed by the bishop, and some others.
Whereupon Mr Farell went to Neocom, where he wholly employed himself in the
service of the church, performing the office of a faithful pastor to extreme
old age, with admirable zeal and diligence. This was that Farell who
(discouraged by no difficulties, deterred with no threatenings, reproaches, or
stripes) gained to Christ multitudes in Montbelgard, Aquileia, Lausanna,
Geneva, and Neocom. There
was in him, besides piety, learning, innocency of life, exemplary modesty, a
certain singular presence of mind, sharp wit, and vehemency of speech, so that
he rather seemed to thunder than speak; and lastly such admirable fervency in
his prayers, that he seemed to carry his hearers into heaven with him. He died
1565.
Reference
“HISTORICAL
COLLECTIONS OF ACCOUNTS OF REVIVAL,” compiled
by the Rev. John Gillies, D.D., 1754. Published by The Banner of Truth Trust,
1981. pp 42-43.
