FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 Sc-S 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2014 
 
 https://archive.org/details/lifeofwilliamfarOOkirc 
 
THE 
 
 LIFE OF WILLIAiM FAkEL. 
 
WILLIAM TYLER, 
 
 PRINTER, 
 nOLT-COURT, rLEET-STREET. 
 
THE LIFE /^NOV 19 1931 ' 
 
 WILLIAM FAREL, 
 
 THE SWISS REFORMER. 
 
 [AN OF THE 
 
 REV. MELCHIOR KIRCHHOFER. 
 
 >P STEIN ON THE RHINE, IN THE CANTON OP SC H .4 FFH AUSEN. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY: 
 Instituted 1799. 
 
 SOt,n AT THE DEPOSITORY, 56, PATERNOSTER-BOW, AND BY THE 
 BOOKSELLERS. 
 
 1837. 
 
Hie ille est, qui nullis diflicultatibus fractus, nullis minis, convitiis, 
 verberibus denique inflictis territus, Monbelgardenses, Neocomendes 
 Laiisanenses, Aqiiileiciise.';, Genevenses denique Christo lucrifecit. 
 
 BEZ^ ICONES. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Page 
 
 Farel's Birth and Education 1 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Faiel at Paris and Meaux 11 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 Farel at Basle 15 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Farel and Erasmus .24 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Farel's Retui-n to Montbeliard 29 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 Farel's Visit to Strasburg 41 
 
VI CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Page 
 
 Fuiel's Journey to Basle, and Appointment to lElen . . 47 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 The Disputation held at Berne, atid its Consequences in JElen 62 
 
 CHAPTER IX, 
 Farel's Evangelical Mission ...... 70 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The Progress of the Reformation at Neufchatel . . 75 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 Farel's Journeys and Sufferings in behalf of the Refonnatioii 88 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Farel's Pastoral Letter — Journey to the Waldcnses — First 
 
 Visit to Geneva . . . . . . . 1 00 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 Farel promotes the Reformation at Geneva . . .112 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Farel confirms the Reformation at Geneva — Calvin's arrival 
 
 — Disputation at Lausanne . . . . . .133 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Confession of Geneva— The Anabaptists— Caroli's Accu- 
 sations 149 
 
CONTENTS. VII 
 CHAPTER XVI, 
 
 Page 
 
 Disturbances on account of the Confession — Expulsion of the 
 Preachers — Attempts for their recall . . . .167 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Farel's call to Neufchatel — State of the Church in that City 
 — Caroli's return — Calvin's recall to Geneva . .179 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 Farel's Dismission and Re-election 190 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 Farel in Metz — Caroli's last Intrigues .... 209 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Calumnies against Farel — Disputed Election — Called to Ge- 
 neva and Lausanne — Attention to the Schools — Church in 
 Montbcliard, and Persecutions there — Writings . . 225 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 The Interim — Farel's Writings— Dedication — Synod — Bolsec 
 Bucer's Death — Farel's Sufferings, and Journey to Geneva 233 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Farel's Illness — Ecclesiastical Regulations and Occurrences — 
 Servetus — The Libertines — Proceedings against the Parish 
 Priest of Cvessier — Calvin and Geneva — Jlontbeliard . 244 
 
VIII 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Farel's attempts to Promote a Union with the Lutherans — 
 His Journeys on behalf of the Persecuted Protestants — 
 Events at Pruntrut — Various causes of anxiety 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Farel's Marriage — Dispute respecting Excommunication — 
 Journeys undertaken for the Waldenses, and into France 
 — Landeron— Calvin's Death — Journey to Metz — Farel's 
 Sickness and Death 
 
THE LIFE 
 
 OK 
 
 WILLIAM FAREL. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 farel's birth and education. 
 
 William Farel was bom at Gap, in the province 
 of Dauphiny, in the year 1489. He belonged to a 
 family of rank, and possessed of good fortune. He 
 had three brothers, Daniel, Gautier^ and Claudius, 
 and at least one sister. Of his veiy earliest years 
 nothing is known. Dauphiny had recently been added 
 to the crown of France, and shared in the paternal 
 care of Louis xii., whose reign, notwithstanding its 
 wars, was held in remembrance by his subjects as a 
 golden age. It was the patriotic wish of this prince 
 that liis nobility should cultivate an acquaintance with 
 hterature and science, instead of devoting their chief 
 attention to field sports and other pastimes. "With 
 these enlarged views, the bent of young Farel's mind 
 perfectly coincided. It was not, however, without 
 much diificulty that he prevailed on his parents to 
 gratif\' his thirst for knowledge. But his distinguished 
 attainments appear to have led them, in the issue, 
 fuUy to approve of his choice, since they bestowed on 
 the younger branches of the family the same advan- 
 tages of education. Nothing is known of his first 
 
farel's birth and education. 
 
 preceptors, excepting that they were but indifferently 
 acquainted with the Latin language ; but their de- 
 ficiencies were, in some measure, compensated by his 
 removal to the university of Paris, which took place 
 before the year 1512. 
 
 Precept and example united to confirm Farel in 
 the errors of popery, in which he had been brought 
 up. The authority of the church and the disciphne 
 of the schools combined to fix him in a state of mental 
 bondage. The philosoph,y then prevalent served 
 rather to darken than ehhghten the human mind. 
 The teachers of theology were the slaves of tradition, 
 and imbued with an hereditary hostility to taste, 
 science, and literature. The instruction, if such it 
 might be called, which they imparted, served only to 
 confirm their unfortunate disciple in ignorance and 
 error ; unless he was rescued by some extraordinary 
 occurrence, by meeting with one of those forerunners 
 of the reformation, who were raised up by Providence 
 in various parts of Christendom, or by receiving an 
 impulse from the general agitation of the public 
 mind. In a situation so ill adapted to the reception 
 of Divine truth was Farel placed ; and almost the 
 only favourable circumstance was, that a general up- 
 rightness of intention marked his character. 
 
 His attachment to the popish system proceeded 
 neither from the hope of worldly emoluments, nor 
 from an inclination to those licentious practices in 
 which so many of its adherents indulged, but fi-om 
 the firm belief that the pope was ordained by God as 
 
farel's birth and education. -3 
 
 the visible head of the church, and was, in fact, a 
 God upon earth, whose commands were to be held 
 sacred and essential to salvation. However arrogant 
 and impious the claims of the Roman pontiff might 
 be, they fell short of the devotion and reverence of 
 Farel, of whom it might be justly said, that he was 
 more popish than the pope himself. Dazzled by the 
 false splendour of the Romish church, he looked with 
 abhorrence on every attempt to impugn its authority, 
 and was ready to hazard his property, his life, and 
 even his soul in its defence. Highly applauded by 
 those who were involved in the same errors, he was 
 led to entertain the vain idea that he was one of 
 God's true worshippers, while he was wandering 
 farther and farther from the truth. 
 
 Farel read much, but without discriminating truth 
 from falsehood. The legends of the saints inflamed 
 his imagination ; his superstitious reverence for the 
 Virgin Mary was extreme ; he knelt before the 
 images of the saints, invoked them as intercessors, 
 celebrated their festivals, considered pilgrimages to 
 their shrines as meritorious, and trusted in the effi- 
 cacy of their relics. The consecrated wafer, which 
 he received from the hands of the priest, he doubted 
 not, was the true God. Of the religious orders, he 
 held those in the greatest reverence who were dis- 
 tinguished for the severity of their discipline, and he 
 visited with profound awe the retired and gloomy 
 cells of the Carthusians. His tutor, James Faber, 
 was his model in the adoration of the saints ; at his 
 B 2 
 
4 farel's birth and education. 
 
 command, he adorned their images with flowers ; and, 
 when joining with him in repeating the appointed 
 prayers, felt it an honour to have so distinguished 
 and devout a fellow-worshipper. 
 
 All these observances, however, gave no repose or 
 satisfaction to his mind ; nor were his studies better 
 adapted to promote true piety. His aim was to be- 
 come a real christian, and Aristotle was recommended 
 as a guide! In the vain attempt to pluck good 
 fruit from a corrupt tree, he became increasingly un- 
 happy ; and, before he obtained true peace, had to 
 pass through a course of severe mental sulFering. 
 On turning from the pages of the philosopher to the 
 ins])ired volume, he was struck with astonishment at 
 the discrepancy between its doctrines and precepts, 
 and those of the Romish church. But whom was 
 he now to believe and follow ? 
 
 Neither able at once to throw off his shackles, nor 
 to reconcile the plain letter of Scripture with the 
 tenets in which he had been educated, he strove to 
 maintain an imphcit belief in the authority of the 
 pope and the church, and allowed himself to be per- 
 suaded that the real meaning of Scripture was different 
 from the obvious and literal interpretation. Thus he 
 repelled the first rays of truth which penetrated his 
 benighted mind ; but they were not wholly ineffica- 
 cious ; his soul was roused from its slumbers ; rites 
 and ceremonies, to which he had been used to attend 
 with the fervour of imdoubting belief, were now per- 
 formed with scruples and misgivings. The first 
 
parel's birth and education. 5 
 
 spark was kindled that, ere long, would be fanned 
 into a flame. 
 
 The illumination of Farel's mind was gradual. 
 For a while he yielded to the suggestions of a 
 learned friend, who advised him not to enter on the 
 study of the Scriptures till he had made greater pro- 
 gress in philosophy ; but he was powerfully attracted 
 to the sacred volume by various inducements, and 
 especially by the example of his beloved tutor, Faber. 
 This venerable man (in common with many sincere 
 individuals) had not witnessed the aspect of the times 
 and the state of the church, without many solemn 
 emotions and presentiments of approaching changes. 
 Whilst still practising the adoration of images and 
 the service of the mass, he said to Farel, taking him 
 by the hand, " God will renovate the world, and you 
 will be a witness of it." And in a commentary on the 
 Epistles of St. Paul, he thus expressed his hopes, 
 " God in his great mercy will soon revive the expiring 
 spark in the hearts of men, so that faith and love, and 
 a purer worship, may return again." God is bring- 
 ing his church from its state of infancy, in our time, 
 to spiritual manhood ; and Faber himself, as he 
 gradually emerged from error, contributed towards 
 this glorious change. His extraordinary veneration 
 for the saints and martyrs induced him to compile an 
 account of their lives ; and while the work was pass- 
 ing through the press, he was struck, while reading the 
 prayers addressed to them, with the impiety of such 
 homage. He renounced the study of the legends. 
 
6 
 
 farel's birth and education. 
 
 and applied himself to the holy Scriptures. In taking 
 this step, he was prompted by the example of many 
 other learned men, who, with still clearer views, had 
 entered on the same path; and even the jealousy and 
 harsh behaviour of his colleagues only served to 
 stimidate his dihgence. He carefully distinguished 
 true religion from the superstitions which had been 
 incorporated with it, and raised a wamingvoice against 
 those who imposed on the people heavy burdens, 
 which Christ had not authorised. The merits of the 
 saints, which he once so highly extoUed, lost their 
 lustre before the glory and efficacy of the work of 
 Christ. " We wdl follow," was now his resolution, 
 " what is certain, and abandon what is doubtful. We 
 will cleave to Christ alone, and to the doctrine of the 
 apostles, which points out to us the way of salvation. 
 There is only one religion ; it has one foundation and 
 object, one Head, even Christ, who alone is to be 
 worshipped and honoured !" 
 
 The progress of the truth in Faber's mind, and in 
 society at large, had its effect on Farel, though at 
 first he wavered between the ancient faith and the 
 present views of his tutor. Another friend, however, 
 assisted in bringing him to a knowledge that a 
 christian must approach and worship God through 
 Christ alone, the only Redeemer of mankind. Thus 
 he reached the port of safety, after having endured 
 many a storm, and tranquillity was restored to his 
 agitated mind. In allusion to his mental conflict, 
 he thus expresses himself: " When the corruptions 
 
farel's birth and education. 7 
 
 of the Romish church are unveiled to the soul that has 
 been drawn aside by them, its sense of their enormity 
 is so overwhelming, that only the clear exhibition of 
 the welcome doctrine of salvation by Christ can pre- 
 serve a man from utter despair or losing his senses." 
 
 The study of ecclesiastical histor>-, added to the pe- 
 rusal of the Scriptures, contributed to eradicate many 
 deeply-rooted eiTors from Farel's mind. On investi- 
 gating the faith of the ancient church, he found that in 
 the liturgies the prayers were addressed, not to the 
 saints, but to God. In the confessions of the early 
 christians, he sought in vain for purgaton.-, the mass, 
 or the worship of images ; yet in consequence of hav- 
 ing been so constantly addicted to the adoration of 
 the Virgin Mary and the saints, he felt it difficult at 
 first to worship God alone. It was a still harder task 
 to abandon the mass, and to renounce the absurd 
 idea of transubstantiation. For a long time he was 
 reluctant to examine this last mentioned doctrine, and 
 whatever arguments his reason might suggest to 
 the contrar\% he preferred resting in a bhnd acquies- 
 cence, which was rather the semblance of behef than 
 genuine conviction. 
 
 The better to understand the holy Scriptures, he 
 apphed very dihgently to the Greek and Hebrew lan- 
 guages, without neglecting, however, his other studies, 
 on which he set a just value. The commencement of 
 his rehgious change took place early in life, but he 
 appears to have made the most rapid advances in the 
 knowledge of the truth, when he was about thirty 
 
8 farel's birth and education. 
 
 years old, between the years 1519 and 1522, when 
 Luther had begun his career, and made a powerful im- 
 pression in France, notwithstanding the decisions of 
 the Sorbonne. As his belief in the doctrines of 
 the gospel became settled, his attachment to the 
 popish ritual declined. The numerous fasts and 
 festivals, the injunction of celibacy, and the various 
 rites of Jewish or pagan origin, became highly 
 offensive to him. In the priesthood, he saw 
 with abhorrence the substitution of external splen- 
 dour for inward purity, and the prevalence of an 
 assumed devotion, combined with a secret addic- 
 tion to the grossest sensuality. The traditions of 
 men had taken precedence of the Divine oracles ; 
 and the spirit of devotion, the love of God, and the 
 saving truths of the gospel were discarded, to make 
 way for the corrupt schemes of base self-interest. 
 
 Farel was astonished beyond measure when he 
 saw the legerdemain, the pretended exorcisms and 
 disenchantments ; in a word, the impious jugglery 
 carried on with the relics of the saints. The veil was 
 taken from his eyes, and a new world opened to his 
 view. The word of God became clearer, the prophets 
 and apostles more intelligible, and, above all, he heard 
 the voice of Christ more distinctly ; in him he found 
 that peace which he had so anxiously been seeking, 
 and, from a sense of gratitude for the blessings of 
 salvation, began to love God supremely, and his neigh- 
 bour as himself. 
 
 Having thus become convinced how widely the 
 
farel's birth and education. f) 
 
 Romish church had departed from the doctrine of 
 Christ, Farel forsook her communion with a feehng 
 of abhorrence of himself and of the errors in which he 
 had been so long enthralled. This sentiment of self- 
 reproach for his zeal in behalf of a corrupt system of 
 religion, continued with him through life. Having 
 been more deeply sunk in superstition than many 
 others, his dehverance appeared a more signal miracle 
 of Divine grace ; he felt that he could never be suf- 
 ficiently thankful for such a blessing ; and aspired to 
 serve God, with true and living faith, according to his 
 Tioly word, as zealously and fervently as he had for- 
 merly served the pope. He submitted no longer to 
 human authority in matters of religion ; nor could he 
 look up with the same deference as before to professed 
 theologians, not even to his beloved tutor. He had 
 witnessed with iuuignution the efforts made to repress 
 the truth, and the persecution of Faber, whose in- 
 decision he at the same time deeply lamented. To 
 him, indeed, from the earliest period of their intimacy, 
 he felt indebted for the high moral tone of his exam- 
 ple, and his paternal affection, which had a most bene- 
 ficial effect on his pupil's mind, by exciting disgust at 
 the prevailing depravity of manners. On his visits 
 to liis native place, he saw with grief the low state into 
 which morals and religion had sunk, especially at 
 Lyons : the possibility of their restoration seemed 
 hardly conceivable, for the means which Providence 
 was about to adopt for renovating Christendom were 
 hidden from his view. 
 
10 farel's birth and education. 
 
 Great as was the change which Farel had experi- 
 enced, it was as httle to be attributed to any interested 
 motives as his previous attachment to popery. He 
 was led to it by reverence for the Divine word, not 
 by the love of innovation, animosity to the pope, or 
 the prospect of worldly advantage. His zealous 
 promulgation of christian truth, and the strenuous 
 conflict he maintained against every thing opposed to 
 it, he considered as the only reparation in his power 
 for having so long and ardently cherished a corrupt 
 and erroneous system. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 FAREL AT PARIS AND MEAUX. 
 
 Farel's proficiency in his studies procured him not 
 only the increasing respect of his tutors, but pubhc 
 marks of honour. Having taken the degree of mas- 
 ter of arts, he was made, on Faber's recommendation, 
 regent of the college founded by Cardinal le Moine, 
 an office which had always been filled by men of emi- 
 nence. His high character for integrity induced 
 many persons of rank to intrust him with various 
 sums of money for the support of poor students, which 
 he distributed most conscientiously. He discharged 
 the duties of his office, for the short time he filled it, 
 with honour, and was held in afi'ectionate remem- 
 brance by his coDeagues. He left Paris in order to 
 reside with Faber, Girard Rufus, (Roussel,) and other 
 persons of kindred views. About this time, Briconet, 
 bishop of Meaux, had returned from an embassy to 
 Rome, undazzled by the splendours of the Vatican, and 
 intent on the fulfilment of his episcopal duties. Fa- 
 vourably disposed towards the doctrines of the gospel, 
 he introduced them into his discourses, and he did so 
 with greater acceptance from exhibiting in his own 
 
12 
 
 FAREL AT PARIS AND MEAUX. 
 
 conduct their practical influence; and thus, by his 
 labours of love, enforcing his doctrinal statements, 
 Faber, wearied by the provocations of his colleagues 
 at Paris, hastened to join the bishop, who was his chief 
 benefactor and patron. Farel, with the two Rufuses, 
 and other studious individuals, were invited to 
 Meaux, an invitation by no means unacceptable to the 
 former, since from his change of sentiment, which 
 was now no longer to be concealed, he had become 
 the object of persecution and secret informations. 
 It was the bishop's wish that his visitors should assist 
 him in preaching and in educating the yoimg. Be- 
 sides other young persons, Jean Comte de la Croix, 
 a nobleman of Paris, was trained by them for his fu- 
 ture christian career. The holy Scriptures were the 
 principal object of their study. While at Meaux, 
 Faber wrote his commentary on the four evangelists, 
 and also translated them into the vernacular tongue ; 
 a performance most obnoxious to his opponents, par- 
 ticularly to the monks. On one occasion, when he 
 was expressing to Farel his sanguine hopes that the 
 unadulterated gospel would soon be spread throughout 
 France, and human inventions be exploded, De Roma, 
 a jacobin monk, rejoined, " I and the rest of the friars 
 will raise a crusade, and drive the king out of his 
 kingdom, by means of his own subjects, if he permit 
 what you call the preaching of the gospel." 
 
 By these pious exertions of the bishop of Meaux 
 and his friends, many persons, especially among the 
 common people, were induced to leave the Romish 
 
FAREL AT PARIS AND MEAUX. 13 
 
 communion. Tlie mendicant vocation of the Francis- 
 cans began to suffer, and their self-interest took the 
 alarm. They sent word to Paris that their city and 
 its environs were infested with heresy, which had its 
 origin in the episcopal palace. The bishop success- 
 fully warded off at the time the imputations cast upon 
 himself, but his efforts to protect his friends were un- 
 availing : he was obliged to withdraw the permission 
 he had given them to preach, and persecution imme- 
 diately commenced against those persons who had 
 embraced the reformed faith among the lower orders. 
 Jean le Clerc, a woolcomber, was beaten for three 
 successive days, and branded on the forehead, while 
 his believing mother stood by, and exhorted him to 
 rememljer the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. Others 
 sought safety by flight ; among these was Farel, who 
 seems to have been more intimate than many of his 
 learned friends with his poorer christian brethren. 
 The courage of the bishop and his fellow-labourers 
 was not yet daunted, notwithstanding the opposi- 
 tion they met with among the higher classes. He 
 attempted to effect in other parts of his diocese 
 what he could not accomphsh in the city ; and the 
 stedfastness of those who had already suffered called 
 forth fresh confessors. Farel left behind him many 
 persons initiated and confirmed in the christian faith, 
 who dreaded not the power of antichrist, with all its 
 teachers and abettors, being armed with that Divine 
 faith which the reproach of heresy could not shake, 
 nor the fires of martyrdom destroy. 
 
14 
 
 FAREL AT PARIS AND MEAUX. 
 
 Nothing is known with certainty of the place of 
 Farel's residence for the next ten months. Some 
 suppose that he repaired first of all to Paris, where 
 adherents of the gospel were to be found among all 
 classes. Others infer, from the extraordinary solici- 
 tude which he manifested at a later period, for the 
 christian society at Metz, that he resided in that city 
 for a time. It is also stated that, after his departure 
 from Meaux, he returned home, and preached the 
 gospel there, tiU he was prohibited by the bishop, 
 not being in holy orders. As he was in the habit of 
 taking frequent journeys, there is reason to believe 
 that he was the instrument of leading many persons 
 in his native province to adopt a purer form of wor- 
 ship. It is certain that the gospel was disseminated 
 in Dauphiny at an early period, and with considerable 
 success. Among its most zealous adherents, were 
 Farel's brothers, the minorite Peter de Sebi\'iUe, and 
 j)articularly a knight of the name of Anemund de 
 Caet, lord of ChasteUar. 
 
 No longer secure in France, Farel sought an asylum 
 in Switzerland, whither he had been preceded by his 
 friend Anemund from Grenoble. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 FAREL AT BASLE. 
 
 At an early period, the doctrines of Zuinglius were 
 disseminated in France, owing to the close connexion 
 which existed between that country and Switzer- 
 land ; and afterwards a constant communication was 
 kept up, either by letter or personal intercourse, be- 
 tween that reformer and those who adopted his \-iews, 
 wath the happiest effects. Francis Lambert, a mi- 
 norite of A\-ignon, and Anemund, whom we have 
 already mentioned, may be noticed as ha\-ing derived 
 much instruction and encouragement in their clu-istian 
 course from their visits to Zuinglius. 
 
 The first Svs-iss town which Farel entered on leaving 
 his native land (probably on the recommendation of 
 the bookseller Baugus, whom he had known at Lyons,) 
 was Basle, a place celebrated for its promotion of H- 
 terature, and rendered illustrious by the residence of 
 Erasmus and CEcolampadius. Here he met with his 
 friend Anemund, and several other fugitives from 
 France and Lorraine, among whom were the Cheva- 
 her d'Esche, and Peter Touissant (Tossanus) a native 
 of Metz. He was received in the most friendly 
 
16 
 
 FAREL AT BASLE. 
 
 manner by (Ecolampadius, and became his guest. The 
 occurrences at Meaux had excited universal attention. 
 Farel's fame had preceded him, as a corrector of reli- 
 gious abuses, nor was he backward to maintain such 
 a reputation. The evangeUcal doctrine had already 
 gained many friends in the senate, and among the 
 inhabitants of Basle. On the other hand, the mem- 
 bers of the University, encouraged by Rome, were 
 intent on suppressing it by means of public deput- 
 ations. Not only were these attempts abortive, but 
 they promoted the cause of truth, by suggesting to 
 the friends of the gospel the use of the same instru- 
 ments in its defence. CEcolampadius posted up four 
 important propositions, and invited all who had taken 
 offence at his doctrine, either to refute it, or yield to 
 the force of his arguments. After the pubHc defence 
 of his propositions, which was rather apologetical 
 than polemical, the general respect for his character 
 increased, and the people felt a gro-wing interest in 
 such discussions, which related not to metaphysical 
 subtleties, but to subjects of the greatest practical 
 importance. The use also of the German language 
 on these occasions, contrary to the ancient custom, 
 was an additional circumstance in their favour, and 
 appeared suitable to men who were not afraid lest the 
 light should expose the weakness of their cause. 
 
 A second disputation soon followed, occasioned by 
 the marriage of Stephen Stoer, a priest of LiestaU. He 
 was much beloved by his congregation, and in hopes 
 of being allowed to retain him, they requested the 
 
FAREL AT BASLE. 
 
 17 
 
 senate that he might be permitted to defend the step 
 he had taken publicly, by an appeal to the Scriptures. 
 A disputation, in the German laiiguage, was accord- 
 ingly held in the hall of the universit)' ; but neither 
 deputies from the bishop, nor any of the professors, 
 were present. They were greatly mortified at being 
 unable to prevent its taking place, and quite enraged 
 when they found that Stoer's five propositions were 
 approved of, not only by CEcolampadius and the 
 majority of the preachers, but by the friars themselves. 
 
 Farel then requested permission of the rector and 
 prior of the university to exhibit and defend certain 
 theses, more (as he modestly represented it) for 
 his own information, in case he was in error, than in 
 order to teach others. His request was denied, 
 being most ^"iolently opposed by Dr. Lewis Baer, 
 the principal professor of divinit}-, an able scholar, 
 and the intimate friend of Erasmus. Farel then 
 applied to the senate, and submitted to them the 
 theses, translated into German by QCcolampadius. 
 The senate granted leave to hold the disputation, 
 and declared "that the theses were framed in be- 
 coming language, — that the sentiments were scrip- 
 tural, and conducive to general edification." The 
 university, which was under ecclesiastical as well a.« 
 civil jurisdiction, percei\nng that it was impossible to 
 prevent the discussion, endeavoured to lessen its 
 efficiency, and with that ^-iew appUed to Heniy Von 
 Schonau, the vicar- general, for his interference. 
 Accordingly, in conjunction with the heads of the 
 c 
 
18 
 
 FAREL AT BASLE. 
 
 university, he issued an order to all the priests, stu- 
 dents, and others, prohibiting them from attending 
 the disputation, under pain of excommunication and 
 banishment. The senate, jealous of what they con- 
 sidered an unwarrantable assumption of authority on 
 the part of the university, issued an edict, which de- 
 clared that, notwithstanding the prohibition, "the 
 pastors, preachers, priests, students, and other per- 
 sons connected with the university should attend the 
 disputation, under penalty of being deprived of their 
 benefices, and the protection of the laws." 
 
 The propositions brought forward by Farel, on this 
 occasion, were as follow ; — 
 
 I. " Clrrist has given us a perfect rule of life, 
 which we are not at liberty to alter, eitlier by 
 adding to it, or taking from it. 
 
 II. " We must faitlifully obey the commands of 
 God; for it will lead to ungodliness, if we adhere 
 to any party or faction, or govern ourselves by any 
 other precepts than those of Christ, who has ordained 
 that those who cannot contain should marry. 
 
 III. " The distinction of meats and drinks, as well 
 as a variety of ceremonies, is Jewish, and not agree- 
 able to the Hght of the gospel. 
 
 IV. " Long, wordy prayers, which are not in ac- 
 cordance with the precepts of the Lord, and the 
 model which he has given, cannot be safely prescribed 
 or used. It is better to give to the poor the money 
 which is paid for prayers on behalf of the dead, and 
 not to accumulate it as an incitement to much evil. 
 
FAREL AT BASLE. 
 
 19 
 
 Even- effort shoiild be made to promote unit}-, which 
 is best accomplished bv enjoining the people to read 
 the Scriptures, that they may no longer consider dis- 
 tinctions in dress as important. 
 
 V. "The vocation of a christian teacher requires 
 that he shoidd apply himself to the study of God"s 
 word with such devotedness, as to esteem it above 
 everj- thing else. His mind should not be diverted 
 by other objects from the Divine word. Employments 
 which are secular, rather than reUgious, should be 
 committed to other persons. An extremely culpable 
 and pernicious carelessness is often shown in this 
 respect. 
 
 VI. " No one shoidd impiously regard the pre- 
 cepts of Christ simply as good advice ; nor exalt the 
 advice of his fellow-men to a level with christian 
 precepts : this is the devil's work. Equcilly culpable 
 is covetousness, which, for the sake of gain, induces 
 the christian to neglect that which he ought to 
 perform, and to perform what he ought to leave 
 undone 
 
 VII. "He that treats the gospel as doubtful, does 
 all in his power to suppress it ; and he that does not 
 in sincerity instinct his brother, and feai- God rather 
 than man, is ashamed of the Lord. 
 
 VIII. " He that hopes to be saved and justified by 
 his own power and merits, and not by faith, exalts 
 himself, and, blinded by unbelief, makes a God of 
 himself. 
 
 IX. " We ought to pray most earnestly for what 
 
 c 2 
 
20 
 
 FAREL AT BASLE. 
 
 the Holy Spirit imparts to us. Christians must pre- 
 sent their offerings to God alone. 
 
 X. "Those who are in health, and who are not 
 devoted to the work of the ministry, are under obli- 
 gation to labour according to the decision of the 
 apostle. 
 
 XI. "A christian ought to refrain both from 
 heathenish festivals, and from Jewish hypocrisy in 
 fasting and other things, which do not proceed 
 from the Holy Spirit. He must especially beware of 
 idolatry. 
 
 Xn. "Jewish ordinances and burdensome cere- 
 monies which infringe on Christian liberty, ought 
 not to be tolerated by a Christian people. 
 
 Xni. " Jesus Christ must be our polar star, by 
 whose power all things are governed, and not by the 
 constellations, or the elements. We trust that this 
 will be the case in future, when every thing will be 
 conformed to the evangelical model ; when all strife 
 (so abhorrent to every christian) will be done away 
 with, so that the peace of God, which passeth all 
 understanding, may dwell in our hearts." 
 
 In these propositions, Farel did not attack by name 
 any particular doctrines or set of men, though they 
 are directed against all doctrines which do not ema- 
 nate from the word of God ; and they indicate, with 
 sufficient distinctness, the classes whom he especially 
 wished to reform. He stated the import and inten- 
 tion of the articles to be, the promotion of christicin 
 liberty, and the abolition of the tyranny of human 
 
FAREL AT BASLE. 
 
 21 
 
 ordinances, that the civil powers might retain their 
 authority without being encroached upon by ecclesias- 
 tical dispensations. He introduced the subject in a 
 manner worthy of a defender of the true reUgion : 
 "It is my opinion," said he, " that every christian 
 cannot do better than make himself thoroughly ac- 
 quainted with the truth, which Christ has declared 
 himself to be." He called on all those who were 
 concerned for the welfare of their fellow-men, (the 
 pastors and teachers of the church especially ; both 
 those who were pledged to advocate the reformed 
 faith, and those who still adhered to the church of 
 Rome,) " to state, with clearness and precision, the 
 grounds of their belief, as children of the light, 
 without fear of doing wrong in making such a public 
 avowal." He closed with saying, " Hasten, then, 
 as the Lord enjoins, with a pure heart, and strive 
 that the word of God alone may gain the victoiy. 
 This I entreat and exhort, for the sake of our 
 Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who has so strictly com- 
 manded us to seek the welfare of our fellow-men." 
 
 The disputation began in Latin : CEcolampadius 
 acted as interpreter, as Farel, on account of his 
 French accent, was not easily understood. For the 
 purjiose of trying Farel's skill, and confirming the 
 points in debate, Qllcolampadius brought forward the 
 views of their opponents with no inconsiderable shov/ 
 of argument. Their adversaries, who had been so 
 violently opposed to the meeting, did not make their 
 appearance, but contented themselves with boasting 
 
•22 
 
 FAKEL AT BASLE. 
 
 in private how much they could have done, had they 
 been there ! The documents relating to the disputa- 
 tion no longer exist, but the results were, beyond 
 all doubt, very beneficial. The opposition made by 
 the members of the university and the priests, tended 
 strongly to lower the estiniation in which they were 
 held by the people, who felt conAanced that their sole 
 object was to prevent the gospel from reappearing 
 in its ancient lustre and purity. 
 
 The attachment of the fi-iends of the reformation 
 to Farel was much increased by his conduct on this 
 occasion, and by their continued intercourse with 
 him. His learning, piety, and scriptural knowledge, 
 combined with undaunted courage and fervent zeal, 
 were so conspicuous, that, in the judgment of QEco- 
 lampadius and others, he was more than a match for 
 all the doctors of the Sorbonne. Among his warmest 
 friends were the preachers, Jacob, Imeli, and Boniface 
 Wolfliard. He was also the instrument of confirming 
 in the faith of the gospel the learned Franciscan, Con- 
 rad Pellican, with whom he formed an intimacy from 
 the time of the first disputation. 
 
 Farel's zeal sometimes betrayed him into an 
 intemperance of language, which his best friends 
 acknowledged and lamented. QScolampadius, in par- 
 ticular, sought to correct this infirmity by admonish- 
 ing liim in the hours of social intercourse : and since 
 his own temper, also, was hasty and warm, entered 
 into a mutual engagement with him to cultivate 
 meekness and humilitv' : whilst, at the same time. 
 
FAREL AT BASLE. 
 
 23 
 
 he recognised in Farel's ardent zeal an invaluable 
 virtue, which was, on many occasions, of as much 
 importance as meekness. 
 
 The opposers of the evangelical doctrine persisted, 
 after the disputation, in showing the same arrogance 
 as before, and endeavoured, by public mandates, or 
 secret intrigues, to suppress the gospel, and crush 
 its adlierents. Tliey were publicly reproached bv 
 CEcoIampadius, in a letter to the bishop, for refusing 
 to appear in defence of their faith, under pretence of 
 obedience to the roman pontiff ; by which they in- 
 sulted their colleagues, and disappointed the just 
 expectations of the people. 
 
 Farel remained several months at Basle, and during 
 that time ^^sited Zurich twice with some of his friends 
 from Lyons, and also formed connexions at Schaff- 
 hausen and Constance. In later years he looked back 
 with great pleasure to this period of his life, when he 
 was received, though young, and a new convert, with 
 so much kindness by Zuinglius, as well as by Myco- 
 nius, Conrad Grebel, and others. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 FAREL AND ERASMUS. 
 
 The prominent part taken by Farel in the public 
 disputation at Basle, while it was of essential service 
 to the cause of the reformation, and secured him the 
 esteem of his friends, rendered him more than ever 
 obnoxious to the abettors of the ancient system. 
 The freedom of his animadversions on the pope, the 
 clergy, and the general constitution of the church, 
 gave great offence to many persons, and, amongst 
 others, to the celebrated Erasmus, a man averse from 
 all bold and decisive measures, and particularly sen- 
 sitive of whatever affected his own reputation and 
 influence. He would have been better pleased had 
 Farel visited Basle in order to pay him personal 
 respect, or to engage in literary pursuits, instead of 
 employing his undivided energies in the service of 
 religion, and against the corruptions of popery. 
 Farel, on the other hand, had imbibed a dislike to 
 Erasmus for his haughty and contemptuous treat- 
 ment of his venerated instructor Faber. Indeed, it 
 was scarcely possible that two men whose characters 
 were so very dissimilar, should be brought near each 
 other without exciting irritation and variance. 
 
FAREL AND ERASMUS. 
 
 25 
 
 Farel, an enemy to all hx^iocrisy, and unaccus- 
 tomed to dissemble, freely expressed the universal 
 opinion of the reformed party respecting Erasmus, — 
 that he knew what was right, but had not the cou- 
 rage to avow it. This provoked Erasmus, and Farel 
 chose an unfortunate juncture for urging him to act 
 up to his convictions. He had lately been engaged 
 in a controversy with Ulrich von Hutten, to whose 
 attack he had replied with considerable acrimony ; 
 and after Hutten's decease, his feelings were still 
 more deeply wounded by Otto Braunfell's unsparing 
 exposure of the weak points of his character. As 
 all these unwelcome animadversions proceeded from 
 members of the evangelical communion, it strength- 
 ened his prejudices against the whole body. It flat- 
 tered his vanity, indeed, that the friends of the gospel 
 were ready to avail themselves of his wit and learn- 
 ing in their warfare with popish corruptions, but it 
 wounded him deeply when they turned his own wea- 
 pons against himself. The depreciating terms in 
 which he usually spoke of the reformers, and parti- 
 cularly the pledge he had given to the pope to write 
 against Luther, were very offensive to Farel. 
 
 Tlie breach between them was widened by the pro- 
 pagators of scandal, who repeated certain harsh and 
 violent expressions said to have been made use of by 
 Farel ; such, for instance, as that he would rather suffer 
 martyrdom daily than desist from attempting to lower 
 Erasmus' reputation, and that Erasmus was like Ba- 
 laam, who accepted bribes to curse God's chosen 
 
26 
 
 FAREL AND ERASMUS. 
 
 people. On calling Farel to account for using such 
 language, Erasmus found that it was a merchant at 
 Lyons who had uttered these reproachful expressions. 
 He quickly turned the conversation to another topic, 
 and asked Farel why he objected to the invocation of 
 saints. Was it because it was not expressly enjoined 
 in the holy Scripture ? On receiving an answer in 
 the affirmative, he demanded scriptural authority for 
 the invocation of the Holy Spirit. Farel replied, " If 
 he be God, he must be invoked." As Erasmus, how- 
 ever, insisted on a direct proof froin the Scriptures, 
 (not because he doubted the truth of the doctrine, for 
 in this they were agreed,) Farel quoted the passage, 
 "These three are one," 1 John, v. 7. Erasmus ob- 
 jected to this text, that it was of uncertain authority, 
 and of dubious meaning, and had never been adduced 
 by the warmest advocates of the doctrine. The conver- 
 sation lasted to the close of the day, but seems to have 
 had no other effect on the parties engaged, than to 
 exasperate their feelings, and to confirm the mutual 
 antipathy which ceased only with their lives. 
 
 From that time Erasmus designated Farel by a 
 most opprobrious epithet, frequently indulged in un- 
 founded suspicions against him, and scarcely ever 
 spoke of him but in terms which evinced the depth of 
 liis resentment. " He calls himself a friend of the 
 gospel," said Erasmus, " would that he were so in 
 reahty ! but never during my whole life did I see 
 such a proud, calumnious, and shameless man. In 
 short, from what I know of his character, I wish to 
 
FAREL AND ERASMUS. 
 
 27 
 
 meet liim neither as friend nor foe. Even the Lu- 
 therans cannot endure bis incessant forwardness, 
 fficolampadius and PeUican have often reproved him, 
 but all in vain; his faults are too deeply rooted. 
 Nothing gives him greater pleasure than to circulate 
 anonymous libels. If Luther knew him, he would 
 chastise him severely." Nor was he content without 
 venting his spleen on Farel's countrj^men. " Some 
 Frenchmen," he complains, " cany matters further 
 than the Germans. There are five words which are 
 for ever on their lips, ' the gospel, God's word, 
 faith, Christ, and the Spirit,' and yet I see many 
 of them who are evidently possessed by the spirit 
 of the devil." In order to account to Melancthon 
 for the acrimony of his style in his treatise against 
 Luther, he pretended that the most severe passages 
 were directed, not against Luther, but against Farel 
 and his associates. 
 
 On the other hand, it must be confessed that Farel 
 discovered no little warmth and bitterness of spirit. 
 He termed Erasmus a weathercock, reproached him 
 as being the gospel's most dangerous enemy, and 
 asserted that it was a duty to pray, either that he 
 might be converted, or be deprived of those distin- 
 guished abilities which he so perniciously misapplied. 
 
 Whether the senate found the opposition of the 
 vicar-general and the university to be more formi- 
 dable than they had anticipated, or whether they were 
 influenced by the disagreement between Erasmus and 
 Farel, and the freedom of speech which the latter 
 
28 
 
 FAREL AND ERASMUS. 
 
 adopted on religious topics beyond what the people 
 were able to bear, or whatever other motive might 
 prompt them, Farel was ordered by them to leave 
 Basle. His friends in vain remonstrated against this 
 treatment as a violation of the laws of hospitality, 
 while his antagonist Erasmus hesitated not to affirm 
 that his expulsion was necessary in order to prevent 
 disturbances in the city. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 farel's return to montbeliard. 
 
 Farel left Basle in company with a Frenchman of 
 noble family, probably Nicholas d'Esche, his friend 
 Anemund being at this time on a visit to Luther. 
 As they intended travelling by way of Strasburg as 
 far as Wittenberg, thev were provided ^"ith letters of 
 recommendation from CEcolampadius to Capito and 
 Luther. If Farel really went to Wittenberg, his stay 
 there was short, and he soon returned to Strasburg, 
 the general asylum of the persecuted, where he met 
 with a ven,- friendly reception. Before he came to 
 Basle, he had decUned preaching, in the expectation 
 that God would raise up men more able and worthy 
 than himself. But as CEcolampadius solemnly and 
 frequently urged him to undertake the ministerial 
 office, his scruples were at length overcome, and he 
 only waited for a suitable opportunity to enter upon 
 this sacred employment. Ha\-ing been invited by a 
 christian society in Montbehard to become their pas- 
 tor, he requested and obtained permission of Duke 
 Ulrick, of Wertemberg, (who resided there after being 
 expelled from his hereditarv dominions,) to preach 
 the gospel in that place. 
 
30 farel's return to montbeliard. 
 
 In July, he commenced his labours at Montbeliard 
 with such astonishing success as warranted the ex- 
 ])ectation of still greater things. The duke and his 
 court were much in his favour, and the people in 
 general had a great desire to hear the word of God ; 
 though a few of the higher class were disposed to 
 treat him with contempt, or apprehended unpleasant 
 consequences from his residence amongst them. He 
 lost no time in acquainting his friends at Ba^^le, of the 
 favourable commencement of his ministiy. fficolam- 
 padius wrote to congratulate him, and said, " I rejoice 
 that the doctrine of Christ flourishes so much at 
 Montbeliard through your instrumentality, and pray 
 that he who employs you to plant, would also water 
 the plantation, and preserve it alike from insidious 
 attempts to injure it, and from open violence. It is 
 gratifying to cultivate a soil in which the seeds spring 
 up so rapidly ; but let us not be satisfied unless we 
 see tlie fruit matured and our hopes realized, or at 
 least unless we have so fulfilled our office as to leave 
 no occasion for any just reproach to be cast upon us. 
 Be anxious to form not learned, but good men; I 
 mean such as are well instructed in Divine truth 
 and taught of God. It is not a difficult task to gain 
 the attention of peo])le to cei'tain doctrines, and 
 excite a zealous attachment to them, but to im- 
 press the heart arii^ht is indeed a Divine work. We 
 must first of all pray for the Holy Spirit, and put out 
 our talents to interest. For this purpose we have 
 need of meekness, patience, and love, and, above all, of 
 
farel's return to montbeliard. 31 
 
 faith. We require a holy wisdom which is not of this 
 world, hut imparted from ahove, and which will teach 
 us to become, after the example of Christ, ' all things 
 to all men.' But why do I remind you of these 
 things, since I am confident that you are under the 
 guidance of the Holy Spirit." 
 
 Tossanus also wrote to him in the following terms : 
 " I exhort you, for Christ's sake, never to forsake 
 the path in which you have entered so courageously, 
 but to press forward with christian confidence and 
 unshaken resolution. I am glad that the duke and 
 his court are on your side ; but there is need of watch- 
 fulness, for you well know that the destroyer of our 
 peace never slumbers, but employs every weapon to 
 overcome his opponents ; and the more so, when- 
 ever any extraordinary attack is made upon his king- 
 dom. To men of the world, many things are ob- 
 jects of desire, which, on close examination, are evi- 
 dently opposed to the spirit of the gospel. Be cau- 
 tious, therefore, and tr\- exery thing by the unerring 
 standard of the Scriptures. The cause to which you 
 have devoted yourself, is too great to be profaned by 
 human conceit. We may be tempted by offers of 
 wealth, of worldly gratifications, or of secular aid ; 
 but, if we waver between these objects and the re- 
 quirements of the gospel, we shall have fallen from 
 Christ, and shall walk in darkness. However, I do 
 not write thus to you, because I think that you need 
 to be admonished ; but as a proof of my regard for 
 you, and my desire that Christ may be planted in 
 
32 farel's return to montbkliard. 
 
 every heart." The chevaHer Anemund was the 
 bearer of these friendly epistles. 
 
 Scarcely had his friends despatched these expres- 
 sions of sympathy and encouragement, when CEcolam- 
 padius was informed of an occurrence, apparently 
 disastrous, but which ultimately had a favourable 
 effect on the progress of the gospel. The guar- 
 dian of the Franciscans at Besan^on, with the dean 
 of the Priory, and some other persons, interrupted 
 Farel while preaching, by giving him the lie, 
 and denouncing his doctrine as unchristian, betore 
 the whole congregation. The hearers, Germans as 
 well as Frenchmen, loudly expressed their disappro- 
 bation of such a gross breach of decorum. The 
 duke's attendants, fearing a tumult, hastened with 
 the intelligence to the castle. The duke came down, 
 reprimanded the dean, and desired him to use his au- 
 thority in preserving the peace. If the preacher, 
 he added, had inculcated any thing unchristian and 
 erroneous, he might note it down and controvert it 
 at a suitable time and place, and in so doing, might 
 depend on his (the duke's) protection. The dean 
 took the admonition in good part, but not so the 
 guardian ; he came forward in another church in the 
 afternoon, and not only contradicted and abused 
 Farel's sermon, but endeavoured to excite a tumult 
 in the town. The duke put both the guardian and 
 Farel under arrest ; the guardian was required either 
 to show on good grounds that Farel's discourse was 
 erroneous and heretical, or to retract what he had 
 
farel's return to montbeliard. 33 
 
 said respecting it ; he chose the latter alternative, 
 and confessed from the pulpit, before the whole con- 
 gregation, that Farel had spoken the truth, and that 
 his opposition proceeded from undue warmth of tem- 
 per and inconsideration. This acknowledgment was 
 committed to writing. The guardian having com- 
 plied with all the conditions required, was dismissed : 
 and to prevent the circulation of false reports, an 
 oificial statement of the whole aifair was published in 
 Latin and German. 
 
 Farel's zeal appears to have been increased by this 
 opposition ; and as the clergy had been very active in 
 the bnsiness, he attacked them with great vehemence 
 and acrimony, in a manner not altogether consistent 
 with the dignity of his office. He began also to 
 preaci against the sacrifice of the mass, regardless 
 of tht wise advice of (Ecolampadius, that his first 
 object should be to banish antichrist from the hearts 
 of his hearers. The course he pursued served rather 
 to exasperate than to concihate. His faithful monitor 
 heard of this from a mutual friend, of whom he sig- 
 nificantly nquired, " how it fared with Farel's meek- 
 ness ?" Tf e friend bore the strongest testimony to 
 his activity, "^aithfulness, and success, but mentioned 
 at the same time how violently he attacked the 
 priests, particdarly on the subject of the mass. 
 CEcolampad'us, fearful lest Farel's zeal should carrv 
 him too far, remnded him of the resolutions which 
 he formed at Basle, and endeavoured to attemper his 
 zeal with meekness and modesty. " Mankind," 
 
 D 
 
34 farel's return to montbeliard. 
 
 said he, " must be led, not driven. We must keep 
 one object in view, to win souls for Christ, and con- 
 sider how we ourselves should wish to be taught, if 
 we were still enveloped in darkness, and bound in the 
 fetters of antichrist. 
 
 " The image of Christ must be visible in your life 
 and doctrine. It is true that the Saviour at times 
 spoke harshly to obstinate Pharisees, though more 
 meekly than his words are generally rendered ; at 
 one time full of compassion, at another, in a way of 
 warning, and again with earnestness, blended with 
 meekness, so that his benevolence was never more 
 conspicuous than in his treatment of his most violent 
 persecutors and enemies. But let this suffice ; I know 
 that you wish to be a hcahng physician, and not a tor- 
 mentor of your feUow-men." On another occasion 
 he thus expressed himself: " You will not be tble to 
 gain over to Christ eveiy Ananias and Sapphira who 
 resist the Holy Spirit ; therefore, let them alone, 
 and assist the weakness of others. It is no* enough 
 that you are friendly to your friends; you nust spare 
 no pains to win even your enemies. Nrble minds 
 express their anger only on proper occasions. We 
 know the zeal of Elijah, but before we idopt him for 
 our model, let us consider the circumstsnces ir which 
 he was placed, and whether he alwayi glowed with 
 the same fire. Above all, I wish /ou to copy the 
 meekness and gentleness of Christ, and follow in the 
 footsteps of ' the Good Shepherd' who ' laid down 
 his life for the sheep.' " 
 
farel's return to montbeliard. 35 
 
 Tossanus also wrote to him as follows : " I thank 
 God that he has employed you for the pm-pose of 
 making- known his beloved Son to the world. Do 
 not, however, be elated on this account; distrust 
 yourself, and study to show yourself a faithful teacher, 
 who not only instructs the people to despise things 
 which have little connexion with christian truth, but 
 so trains and fortifies their minds, that they may bid 
 defiance to every storm." Farel was sensible of the 
 heart-felt affections from which these admonitions 
 flowed ; he also acknowledged the excellence and 
 necessity of meekness, but the opposition he met 
 with, combined with his compassion for the ignorant 
 and deluded, led him frequently to employ expres- 
 sions of indignant zeal. 
 
 During the winter, a friar of the order of St. 
 Anthony came into the neighbourhood of Mont- 
 beliard, and employed a monk to publish and recom- 
 mend fi-om the pulpit an assortment of relics, for 
 which he hoped to find purchasers. After the an- 
 nouncement of these wares, Farel and John Galling 
 (the court preacher, and a disciple of Luther, who 
 first preached the gospel in the duchy of Wirtemberg) 
 appealed to the senate to put a stop to such blas- 
 phemy and imposture. Farel represented in strong 
 terms how much evil had been caused by designing 
 men, who, by such traffic, had destroyed souls, rob- 
 bed God of his glory, and the poor of the produce 
 of their labour. The senate, however, had not 
 courage to act, in accordance with the wishes of the 
 D 2 
 
36 FAREL S RETURN TO MONTBELIARD. 
 
 preachers, and alleged that cognizance of such mat- 
 ters belonged not to them, but to the duke. To him, 
 therefore, application was made, that he would dis- 
 miss the obnoxious individual. But that no one 
 might charge the duke or the adlierents of the re- 
 formed faith with injustice, in dismissing a person 
 unheard, it was further requested that, though the 
 friar should not be allowed to preach or sell his 
 relics, he might be allowed to prove, if possible, the 
 propriety of his conduct, from the holy Scriptures. 
 
 Farel by his preaching and careful oversight of 
 every class, both old and young, excited great atten- 
 tion in Montbeliard and its neighbourhood. But we 
 are not to suppose that his zeal met with no obstacles. 
 His old antagonist, Erasmus, described him to a 
 friend at Montbeliard, and to the bishop's ordinary 
 at Besan^on, as a lying, impertinent, worthless fel- 
 low; hinting at the same time that some severe 
 measures should be employed against him. These 
 outbreakings of long cherished resentment were not 
 concealed from Farel, nor could he refrain from com- 
 plaining of them to his friends. Anemund besought 
 him not to lay them to heai-t, and reminded him 
 that Christ, the crown of our glon., suffered far 
 more, but even when on the cross, neither revQed nor 
 threatened. " But why do I exhort you," said he, 
 " to exercise a patience wliich I myself find im- 
 practicable ? Solely from the wish to see you, who are 
 the chief mark of our enemies, free from all occasions 
 of just reproach." 
 
farel's return to montbeliard. 37 
 
 Farel's exertions in the cause of Christ were not 
 Hmited to the sphere of his personal labours. By 
 means of an active correspondence, he kept up a 
 constant intercourse with his friends at Meaux 
 and Basle, which was mutually beneficial. " I 
 thank you, my brother," writes Tossanus to him, "for 
 admonishing me, Uke a prudent friend, not to suffer 
 myself to be seduced by persuasion, or deterred by 
 threats, from the study of the holy Scriptures. You 
 thus show yourself to be not only a cordial fiiend, 
 but an assiduous and circumspect general, who en- 
 courages such of his men as are pressed by the 
 enemy, and are not veterans in the warfare." Tossanus 
 was at this time in a most painful situation. His 
 relatives, whose affection had been changed almost 
 into hatred, on account of his attachment to the 
 gospel, recalled him from Basle, and insisted on 
 his removing to Paris, in order that all connexion 
 with the Lutherans might be cut off. Even his 
 mother, at the instigation of his other relatives, wrote 
 an impassioned letter, and threatened him with her 
 curse. To pacify her in some degree, CEcolampadius 
 advised him to leave his own house and reside at a 
 popish priest's, where he could not be suspected of 
 the infection of heresy. This, however, appears to 
 have been of little avail, for shortly after he received 
 the news of his being banished for life ; on hearing 
 which, he exclaimed, " The will of the Lord he done !"' 
 It is singular that he recollected having often in boy- 
 hood heard his mother say, " that antichrist would 
 
38 farel's return to montbeliard. 
 
 come with great power, and seek to destroy those 
 who should be converted by the preaching of Elias." 
 
 Farel's modesty had hitherto prevented him from 
 appearing as an author. He had assumed the pas- 
 toral office in compliance with the exhortation of 
 CEcolampadius, and it was owing to the encourage- 
 ment of the same friendly adviser, that he attempted 
 to enlighten his countiymen by means of his evange- 
 lical writings. He drew up, with all possible brevity 
 and plainness, " A summary of what a Christian 
 ought to know, in order to trust God, and serve his 
 neighbour." The book was well received, and went 
 tlirough several large editions. After this first suc- 
 c-essful attempt, he sent several small treatises to the 
 press, some of which were his own composition, 
 and the rest written by others. The printing also 
 of a French translation of the New Testament was 
 taken into serious consideration. In these under- 
 takings he was zealously assisted by his friend Ane- 
 mund, who was now approaching the end of his 
 course. Oswald Myconius wrote to him, as if under 
 the influence of a presentiment, " Continue stedfast! 
 it will not be long before we reach the haven of re- 
 pose!" The chevalier frequently changed his resi- 
 dence, in order the better to promote the cause of 
 the gospel, and his own religious improvement. He 
 fell ill at Schauffhausen, in consequence of drinking 
 cold water when overheated. He dispatched his ser- 
 vant to inform Farel of his situation, but died before 
 Farel could reach Schaufi"hausen. In him evangehcal 
 
farel's return to montbeliard. 39 
 
 truth lost one of its warmest adherents, and Farel, 
 one of his most faithful friends. Myconius wrote to 
 console his sorrowinsj friend, as follows : " Anemund 
 is gone to Him to whose cause he devoted himself. 
 I doubt not but that he will receive the reward of 
 his faith, and of the sacrifices he has made for the 
 advancement of the truth. Let us so live, that when 
 our earthly tabernacle shall be dissolved, we may 
 arrive where, we trust, Anemund has entered be- 
 fore us." 
 
 The spread of evangelical truth in Montbeliard 
 met with unexpected opposition from the confederate 
 cantons. Tliey urged upon the duke the dismissal of 
 the two preachers. On his sending no reply, all the 
 cantons (Zurich excepted) repeated the request ; on 
 which the duke's ambassador, Everard von Reischach, 
 assured them, that one of the preachers was no 
 longer there, and that the other would probably be 
 dismissed, if the cantons retained their present feel- 
 ings towards him. Meanwhile Farel continued his 
 christian labours, without regarding the cantons, of 
 which a part, secretly at least, favoured the duke. 
 His colleague, Gailing, who was chaplain to the 
 court, having been dismissed on account of the duke's 
 residence being unsettled, Fare! discharged all the 
 pastoral functions. The administration of the Lord's 
 Supper at first presented a difl[iculty ; but the exigency 
 of the case seemed to furnish him with a warrant. 
 After many struggles, however, in which he en- 
 deavoured to regulate all things according to the will 
 
40 farel's return to montbeliard. 
 
 of God, he removed from Montbeliard. The imme- 
 diate occasion of this step is said to have been the 
 zeal he manifested at the passing of a procession. 
 According to general report and an anonymous nar- 
 rative, he snatched the pretended rehcs of St. Anthony 
 from the priest who was carrying them, and threw 
 them into the water, exclaiming, " Ye miserable 
 idolaters, cannot ye cease from your idolatry ?" He 
 narrowly escaped the rage of the priest and the 
 people, owing to some one's calling out, " The 
 image will be lost in the water!" which alaraied the 
 multitude, and drew off their attention from Farel. 
 The removal of the duke and his court from Mont- 
 beliard, and the consequent loss of his protection, 
 was an additional reason for Farel's going away. In 
 the spring he left the town with sanguine but not iU- 
 founded hopes of eventually witnessing a harvest from 
 the seed of the gospel which he had sown ; and 
 during his whole hfe, the church in that place conti- 
 nued to be an object of his affectionate solicitude. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 farel's visit to strasburg. 
 
 Farel in the first instance repaired to Basle, (where 
 he was at the time of Anemund's death,) induced, 
 probably, by a communication from the rector of the 
 universit)', to his friend fficolampadius ; but his con- 
 tinued residence there not being allowed, he joined 
 his friends, Capito and Bucer, with the former of whom 
 he took up his abode. He applied to the senate of 
 Basle once more to sanction his return, but without 
 success. 
 
 He remained at Strasburg about fifteen months, 
 actively engaged in assisting his friends, and in 
 preaching to a small congregation of his countrymen, 
 who had left France on account of their rehgion. 
 Here also he met with his beloved tutor Faber, 
 Gerard, Rufus, and other pious friends, who had 
 been obliged to leave Meaux. He reminded his 
 tutor of his having predicted a reformation in the 
 church ; the reality of which was now before his eyes, 
 and encouraged him to labour for its further reno- 
 vation. 
 
42 farel's visit to strasburg. 
 
 About this time, writing to Zuinglius, he remarks, 
 " How deceived and destitute of piety are those who 
 refuse to bear the cross of Christ ! " We see how 
 shamefully many go over from Christ to Antichrist, 
 caring more for a life of ease and self-indulgence 
 than for the glory of God. We see into what de- 
 structive errors men are led, who endeavour to con- 
 ceal the truth, and would serve God and mammon at 
 the same time. We know some, whom every one 
 believed to possess the Spirit of God, who have 
 ended in the flesh, and drawn many along wth them 
 into destruction. 
 
 Though at times he was much dejected, by the 
 opposition made to the gospel, and the hardships in- 
 flicted on its adherents, yet he prayed for the perse- 
 cutors, that God would change their hearts, so that 
 in the end Christ might be glorified. He consoled 
 himself and others by such considerations as the 
 following : " He that is truly pious is never cast 
 down from his excellency by his adversaries. How- 
 ever violent may be the rage of our enemies, it will 
 be for our benefit ; their insults will promote our 
 humility, and threatened death will diminish our 
 self-confidence. Our persecutors teach us to suppli- 
 cate with earnest aspirations our Father in heaven, 
 whose wonderful goodness and grace are manifested 
 to his children, in constraining them by the cross, to 
 pursue their course with circumspection, remember- 
 ing how precious a treasure they bear in earthen 
 vessels." In this manner he wrote to his friend 
 
fakel's visit to strasburg. 43 
 
 Zuinglius, commending him for maintaining his faith 
 and christian stedfastness in the midst of so many 
 dangers, exhorting him to acknowledge the grace he 
 had received, and to devote his distinguished talents 
 still more to the service of Christ. 
 
 The controversy respecting the Lord's Supper 
 began about this time. The Swiss reformers were 
 not hasty in giving their decision on so important a 
 subject, but discussed it in private conferences with 
 one another. Before Carlstadt began the controversy 
 with Luther, or published his work on " The Anti- 
 christian Abuse of the Lord's Bread and Cup," the 
 friends of the reformation in France had also can- 
 vassed the question, and were on the whole more in- 
 clined to the views of Zuinglius than of Luther ; partly 
 influenced, it is probable, by their more intimate per- 
 sonal connexion with him, and partly by many things 
 in the popish system having been opposed from the 
 commencement by Zuinglius, which Luther in his 
 earlier writings had conceded. One of the first who 
 sided with the Swiss reformer was Anemund, whose 
 elevated and refined mind was secure from whatever 
 seemed to attach it to visible and outward objects. 
 He communicated the satisfaction he felt to Farel, 
 who made a large collection of the opinions of emi- 
 nent men upon the subject. Francis Lambert, on 
 the other hand, adhered to Luther, and carefully in- 
 formed him of whatever passed at Basle and Stras- 
 burg on this subject. 
 
 The friends of the gospel in France were much 
 
44 
 
 farel's visit to strasburg. 
 
 grieved at the difference between the two reformers ; 
 and to prevent the dangerous consequences which 
 were hkely to arise, it seemed desirable that Luther 
 should be entreated, either by the preachers in the 
 imperial cities, (Strasburg particularly,) or by some 
 individual of eminence, such as Bucer, to act more 
 dispassionately than the vehemence he had already 
 displayed led them to apprehend. Farel was requested 
 to be an agent in this business. He was thus ad- 
 dressed by Tossanus, a man who would wilhngly have 
 laid down his life for the sake of maintaining chris- 
 tian unity: " Think of the confusion which will arise, 
 if these differences of opinion are employed to make 
 the world believe that Strasburg has one creed, and 
 Nuremberg another ! Would not secular princes 
 seize the opportunity of prohibiting novel doctrines, 
 in order to bring us back to the ancient superstition 
 and idolatrous worship ? But do thou, O Lord, come 
 to our aid! and do you, my dear brother, use your 
 utmost efforts to prevent so sad a catastrophe!" 
 
 The wishes of Tossanus were fulfilled. The Stras- 
 burg people exerted themselves to quench the rising 
 flame. To prevent mere verbal disputation, or a 
 tedious investigation of ecclesiastical antiquities, they 
 referred totlie important signification of the rite, "to 
 the main point, faith and love ; or to the consider- 
 ation and remembrance of Christ, for the invigoration 
 of our hope, since Christ must be internal and in- 
 visible, and not necessarily connected with what is 
 external, be it a sign or any thing else." Such was 
 
farel's visit to strasburg. 
 
 45 
 
 their decision, and in this manner they attempted to 
 reconcile Luther and others, who had entered the 
 lists of controversy. Farel wrote in the same 
 strain. 
 
 This letter reached Wittemhurg ahout the same 
 time as the reply of Zuinglius to Bugenhagen's 
 epistle, with which, from the similarity of feehng and 
 sentiment in the two writers, it almost, in many 
 passages, verbally agreed. 
 
 Wliilst Farel's friends in Basle endeavoured to 
 moderate the ardour of his zeal, and warned him 
 not to be overhasty, he was dissatisfied with their 
 remissness, in reference to points on which they were 
 fully enlightened, and m-ged them to act up to their 
 convictions. It was very offensive to him, that Pel- 
 Ucan should continue to attend mass and wear the 
 habit of his order. When his strong remonstrances 
 were unavailing, and one of his friends, who had 
 laboured for the same purpose, complained how hard 
 a task it was to change a monk into a christian, 
 Farel requested Luther, through Bugenhagen, to 
 use his influence with PeUican. The following year 
 he had the pleasure of seeing his friend renounce 
 the badges of popery, in order to teach the Holy 
 Scriptures in Zurich. 
 
 Several of Farel's friends, who endeavoured to 
 spread the gospel in their native land, caused him 
 much anxiety. The chevalier d'Esch was gone to 
 Metz, where the presence of a man of firmness and 
 courage was much needed. Tossanus resolved to follow 
 
46 farel's visit to strasburg. 
 
 the chevalier, but on reaching Louvain, he was 
 betrayed and arrested by his former friend, Theodore 
 de St. Chamond, abbot of St. Anthony, and an in- 
 quisitor, one of the greatest enemies of the reform- 
 ation : he was even put to the torture, so as to en- 
 danger his life. When set at liberty, he was sent on 
 a mission to France, in order to ascertain the dispo- 
 sition of the court to the reformed religion. "While 
 there, he enjoyed the protection of the duchess 
 D'Alencon, who frequently conversed with him on 
 the spread of the gospel, and offered liim various 
 advantageous situations, which he declined. The 
 cardinal of Lorraine also appeared favourable both to 
 him and the protestant cause. Tlie Parisian divine, 
 on the contrary, told him plainly, that as a heretic 
 he was never secure of his life, wherever he might 
 be. But his courage rose with the perils of his situ- 
 ation, and he requested Farel, when he wrote to him 
 at Paris, to write his address without concealment, 
 since he was not ashamed of his correspondence, nor 
 afraid of the consequences which might ensue from 
 its being pubhcly knovra. He even invited him to 
 Paris, and assured him of the assistance of his tutor 
 Rufus ; but not long after, he removed from that city 
 to reside at the mansion of a noble lady, of the name 
 of D'Entraigues, where he waited till things should 
 take a favourable turn. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 FAREL's journey to BASLE, AND APPOINTMENT 
 TO ^LEN. 
 
 In October 1526, Farel left Strasburg for Basle. On 
 arriving there, he found the plague raging, which, 
 added to the continued hostility of the senate, ren- 
 dered him cautious of appearing in public. In private, 
 however, he conversed much with CEcolampadius, 
 especially on the means of pro\nding the church with 
 faithful pastors. He urged on Wolfgang Weissen- 
 burg, in reference to the Lord's Supper, if he were 
 not fully convinced of the reformed doctrine, at least 
 to abstain from controverting it publicly, and for the 
 sake of the church, to satisfy- himself with inculcating 
 the practical uses of the sacrament. Wolfgang ex- 
 pressed his readiness to accede to this, till God should 
 grant him further hght. 
 
 One object of Farel's ■visit to Basle appears to 
 have been, to obtain the co-operation of his friends, 
 in making known the gospel at Berne, where it had 
 already obtained an entrance. In reference to the 
 opposition and difficulties he met with, on this and 
 other occasions, he thus expressed himself: " I was 
 
48 
 
 FARKl's journey to BASLE, 
 
 not ignorant of them, but I viewed them without dis- 
 may, since my only aim (as far as God has vouch- 
 safed his grace) has been, to remove the ignorance of 
 the people. Sufferings, persecutions, and the devices 
 of Satan, have not been wanting, and have often 
 assailed me with almost overwhelming violence, but 
 a loving Father has upheld and will continue to sus- 
 tain me, since his promises to those who trust him 
 can never fail. At first I was attacked by avowed 
 foes ; afterwards I was in peril from false brethren, 
 and exposed to the most dreadful calumnies and 
 threats, in order to deter me from preaching the 
 gospel." 
 
 While at Basle, his friend Tossanus wrote thus to 
 him fi-om Paris : " I rejoice that you are called to ex- 
 tend the kingdom of God. Nothing has been so 
 gratifjdng to me as this intelligence ; and I enter- 
 tain the best hopes, from my knowledge of your 
 exalted sentiments, that you will not decline this 
 caU." At the close of the year, Farel entered on his 
 new scene of labour in the lordship of ^len. This 
 district lies on the confines of Valais, and extends 
 from the inhospitable summits of the Alps to the 
 fruitftil vineyards on the banks of the Rhone, and had 
 been subject to Berne for about fifty years. The 
 religious instruction of the inhabitants had been 
 neglected, in consequence of the superior clergy being 
 plurahsts, and leaving the duties in the respective 
 parishes to be indifferently performed by curates 
 hired for the purpose. For a whUe, Farel assumed 
 
AND APPOINTMENT TO ^LEN. 
 
 49 
 
 the name of Ursinus, but he could not long remain 
 concealed. Soon after his arrival, he received the 
 congratulations of CEcolampadius, who exhorted him 
 to be firm and prudent, and to arm himself with chris- 
 tian knowledge and apostohc vigour. 
 
 After some months, when the good effects of his 
 pious exertions were apparent, the senate of Berne 
 granted him permission to preach in yElen, until 
 the incumbent of the living, Nicolas von Diesbach, 
 should appoint a suitable minister. At the same time 
 a fresh order was issued against the long tolerated 
 immorality of the clergy and laity, and measures were 
 taken to punish offenders, more particularly those of 
 the former class. The inhabitants of the place, galled 
 by these novel restrictions, and the freedom with 
 which Farel attacked their vices and the superstitions 
 of the church, endeavoured to put a stop to his 
 preaching. Yet Farel had not excited this opposition 
 by intemperate vehemence ; for, with due considera- 
 tion of the rudeness and ignorance of the people, he 
 had cautiously touched only one or two subjects, such 
 as the doctrine of purgatory and the worship of 
 saints. Since no vahd ground of complaint could be 
 sustained, the senate were justly displeased at the 
 rejection of the preacher whom they had selected, 
 and issued their commands to the governor of Roverca 
 and all the magistrates, that Farel should preach 
 without molestation. They also appointed him to be 
 minister and schoolmaster at iElen. 
 
 The opposition he met with, occasioned no relax^ 
 
50 
 
 FAREl's journey to BASLE, 
 
 ation in his efforts. In one of his letters he remarks, 
 " The father of hes counterworks me through his 
 agents, and daily tempts me to he ashamed of the 
 gospel, and to desert that Sovereign, whose kingdom 
 is not of this world, in order to foDow the prince of 
 this world, and thus, by apostatizing from Christ, to 
 promote the interests of the kingdom of darkness. 
 But Christ, my King, Lord, and Redeemer, to whose 
 service I have devoted myself, is far more powerful 
 than Satan. Trusting in him, I shall be prepared to 
 tread my foe under foot, to assail his kingdom, an 
 rescuing from his tyranny those whom the Father is 
 pleased to draw, bring them to Christ. Thus I shall 
 glorify my God, exalt his commandments, depres 
 human authority and tradition, and, supported b 
 faith, and instructed by the Scriptures, lead the wear 
 and heavy laden to the Saviour. Such persons I 
 exhort to pray to the Father for the Spirit of Christ, 
 that through him the love of God may be shed 
 abroad in every heart, that thus the authority of the 
 Divine law may be established above all mere human 
 ordinances, and that the true worship of God, " in 
 spirit and in truth," may flourish. " Not at Jerusa- 
 lem, or on any mountain," must we worship the 
 Father, but in our hearts, otfering up ourselves to 
 him, devoting ourselves wholly to the promotion of 
 his glory, denying our own passions and will, with- 
 out being intimidated by those who would rob us of 
 our property, injure our good name, or even seek to 
 take away our lives." 
 
AND APPOINTMENT TO ^LEN. 51 
 
 The doctrines of the reformed faith had hitherto 
 been confined to those districts in which the German 
 language was spoken. Farel's labours attracted, 
 therefore, considerable attention, and in some parts, 
 Lausanne particularly, a strong opposition was ex- 
 cited. Amongst others, Natalis Galeot, one of the 
 bishop's chaplains, denounced Farel's zeal against 
 fast days and other observances of the Romish 
 church, as absolutely immoral. As, however, Natalis 
 was more enlightened than many of his brethren, 
 some persons indulged the hope that he might be 
 won over to a purer faith. Farel was persuaded to 
 address a letter to him, in which, after a very modest 
 and conciliatory introduction, he detailed his own 
 history, and the means by which he had been 
 brought from a state of ignorance and darkness 
 into the hght and knowledge of the gospel. He then 
 animadverted on the character of erroneous teachers 
 of rehgion, and of such as were induced to enter the 
 sacred office from interested and worldly motives ; and 
 after describing the melancholy state of the church 
 in general, added — " Surely we ought to lay to heart 
 the dishonoured glory of God, and the ruined state 
 of the church, its broken walls and profaned sanc- 
 tuary. If we are not lost to all sense of our obU- 
 gations ; if we really believe that Christ died for us ; 
 if our hearts are at all affected by the shedding of 
 his blood ; if the Holy Spirit has taught us any 
 thing of the goodness of God ; if the gifts which 
 God has so richly bestowed upon us have attracted 
 E 2 
 
52 farel's journey to basle, 
 
 us to himself ; if we have the hope of eternal life ; 
 if we must give an account to God of the talents 
 committed to us ; if we believe that if we neglect 
 to warn the wicked, God will require their souls at 
 our hands ; we ought to lose no time in making 
 known the praises of God among the people. Let 
 us preach Christ as our great aim and pattern, both 
 in speaking and acting. If his doctrine be not per- 
 fect, what else can be so ? If this does not point 
 out the way of salvation, what else shall do it ? If 
 this does not call sinners to repentance, what else 
 shall affect them .-' If this do not produce the fruits 
 of godliness, what else shall produce them ? If this 
 do not furnish motives to piety and christian prac- 
 tice, from what other quarter can we derive them ? 
 In short. Divine wisdom is complete in itself, and 
 needs no other wisdom." In conclusion, he avowed 
 his firm resolution to cleave to God alone, without 
 troubling himself about the doctrines of men, to ac- 
 knowledge only one Master, and to obey the clear 
 and obvious dictates of the Divine word. At the 
 same time he entreated Natalis to set an example 
 worthy of imitation in all these points, and to con- 
 tribute, according to the gifts he had received from 
 God, to the instruction and edification of the people. 
 
 As Natalis made no reply to this letter, Farel, sus- 
 pecting that he had not the courage to avow his con- 
 victions, again addressed him, and urged the duty 
 of renouncing every thing for the sake of Christ 
 and his doctrine, even our dearest friends and rela- 
 
AND APPOINTMENT TO ^LKN. 
 
 53 
 
 tives, whom otherwise it becomes us, agreeably to the 
 Divine precepts, to honour and cherish. He re- 
 minded him that no loss, trial, or affliction, should be 
 sliunned on this account ; that the christian ought to 
 y:o whithersoever the Lord calls him, though the 
 whole world should rise against him, nor suffer him- 
 self to be deterred by any thing, not even by death 
 itself, from professing and making known the gospel. 
 In reference to fasts, angels' and saints' days, Farel 
 (lid not express himself as wholly opposed to their 
 observance, but wished that every man should regu- 
 late his life with that moderation and watchfulness 
 which Christ had enjoined, and that no one should 
 lay a heavy burden on his fellow-christians ; for, as 
 he remarked, " Christ has no where told us to imi- 
 tate him in fasting forty days, or in walking on the 
 water, but to be meek, humble, and devout, without 
 pride and presumption." 
 
 " Grow," said this faithful monitor to NataUs, 
 " in the knowledge of God ; search the Scriptm-es 
 dihgently with increasing assiduity ; approach Christ 
 in fer\-ent prayer, and though for a while he may 
 not seem to hear you, only persist in seeking him so 
 much the more frequently, until you are assured that 
 your prayers are answered. Be not anxious for the 
 bodily presence of Christ, but seek after the Divine 
 ' Word,' ' the power of God,' who heals by faith 
 all the diseases of the soul. Acknowledge Christ as 
 the true Son of the living God, who will grant unto 
 you eternal life, and you will be a member of that 
 
54 farel's journey to basle, 
 
 chiirch, which is his body. Take heed not to forsake 
 the holy flock, which hstens to no voice, save that 
 of Christ, the true Shepherd. The Scriptures alone 
 instruct us in that true piety which proceeds from 
 faith, that fasting which is holy and acceptable to 
 God, mutual love, readiness to good offices, bene- 
 volence towards all, and abstinence from sin and 
 destructive lusts." Finally, he conjured Natahs, by 
 the boundless love of the Father, and by Christ, who 
 shed his precious blood for the redemption of man- 
 kind, to espouse the cause of the gospel, and by 
 faith to quench ^the fiery darts of the adversary ; to 
 shun the artifices and inventions of men, however 
 sanctioned by authority or antiquity, and not to suffer 
 himself to be moved by the applause of the multitude, 
 or by the imion of earthly potentates, and the fury of 
 the people against the cause of Christ. 
 
 As Natahs persisted in maintaining silence, Farel 
 wTote a third letter to him, in which he urged that 
 the manifestation of the love of God to men in Christ, 
 ought to excite every one to gratitude, and to love 
 and sers^e God supremely, even with the sacrifice 
 (should circumstances demand it) of health, property, 
 and life. " Let us not act," said he, " hke those who 
 seek only transitory riches, but let us place our trust 
 in more durable possessions, pressing forward to the 
 mark set before us, relying entirely on the mercy of 
 our heavenly Father, who inrites us to himself, and 
 aUo^ving no inferior object to mislead or keep us back." 
 As he had not written from a love of controversy. 
 
AND APPOINTMENT TO ^LEN. 
 
 55 
 
 but for mutual edification and the glory of God, he 
 called upon Natalis to explain his views with the 
 same frankness, to concur in these sentiments as far 
 as he thought them just, and to point out wherein 
 they were erroneous. 
 
 The reply which, at last, was reluctantly given, 
 showed no symptoms of a friendly disposition, but 
 was full of intemperate abuse. The writer (who 
 seems to have found it difficult even to read Farel's 
 letters, or to mention his name,) reproached him for 
 undervaluing fasting, mortification, and the worsliip 
 of saints, and asserted in the most unqualified terms 
 the reality of transubstantiation. To this Farel re- 
 joined; and thus terminated a correspondence, which, 
 though the immediate object was not attained, ap- 
 pears to have been conducted on Farel's part with 
 an exemplary union of gentleness and energy. The 
 depth of his own piety was evinced by the sacrifices 
 and suflferings to which he submitted for Christ's 
 sake, and if his requirements fi-om others were strict, 
 they were only such as his own example enforced. 
 
 The opposition which Farel met with at JElen, was 
 kept up by foreign influence, particularly by the men- 
 dicant friars in the neighbourhood. One of them 
 pubhcly declared at Neuville, that Farel's doctrines 
 were unscriptm-al, and that all who hstened to him 
 ■would be damned. Farel accidentally met with this 
 monk when he visited yElen in the autumn, to buy 
 wine for his convent. He asked him in a friendly 
 manner whether he had preached at Neuville. The 
 
56 farel's journey to basle, 
 
 temfied monk replied in the affirmative. Farel then 
 inquired whether the devil could preach the gospel ; 
 and whether those who listened to it would be 
 damned. The monk said, " Certainly not." On 
 which Farel rejoined, " Then, why have you pubhcly 
 spoken against me in such terms ? I request that 
 you wiU point out and prove the errors which I am 
 charged with preaching ; for I would rather die than 
 teach erroneous doctrine to the poor people whom 
 Christ has redeemed by his blood. May the Lord 
 never permit me to see the day when I shall preach 
 any doctrine but what he approves." 
 
 Instead of adducing any proof, the monk said to 
 him, " I have heard that you are a heretic, and that 
 you unsettle and seduce the people by your doctrine." 
 " Tliat is not enough," repHed Farel, " you must make 
 good what you asserted in your sermon; for I am 
 readv to stake my life in defence of my doctrine." 
 
 The monk now began to be irritated, and said, 
 " Wliat have I preached against you ? Who has heard 
 it r I am not come hither to dispute with you, but 
 to collect alms. You know best if you have preached 
 sound or erroneous doctrine." Upon this, Farel re- 
 presented to him that a regard to the Divine honour 
 ought to take precedence of every worldly consider- 
 ation, and that he was in a place where he might 
 feel certain of meeting with justice. If he had 
 spoken the truth, he (Farel) could do nothing against 
 him, for falsehood could not stand before the hght 
 of tmth. The Lord had promised to give utterance 
 
AND APPOINTMENT TO iELEN. 
 
 57 
 
 and wisdom to the friends of truth, so that their ad- 
 versaries' mouths should be stopped. He ought 
 therefore boldly to defend his sermon, or if he had 
 misled the people, he ought to lead them back again 
 into the r/gl't path. The people had been hitherto 
 unacquainted with the holy Scriptures, and were 
 strangers to its Divine doctrines, since, instead of 
 faithful shepherds, wolves had been the pretended 
 guardians of Chrst's flock; and instead of evangelical 
 food, they had aeen presented with dreams and 
 human fabrications. 
 
 Pressed by this remonstrance, the monk again 
 charged him with be^ig a heretic, and leading the 
 people astray from souid doctrine. 
 
 During the conversation, some people came from 
 their work, with whom Farel was acquainted. He 
 said to them, " Behold this good father, who has 
 publicly declared that m\ doctrine is deceit and 
 vanity, and that those who listen to me will be 
 damned. He has also just "^old me that I am a 
 heretic, and am leading you astray." 
 
 The monk now broke out into a passion, and ex- 
 claimed, " Wliat have I said ? Who has heard it? 
 Where are your witnesses?" Farel reminded him 
 of the Omniscient Witness, and again called upon 
 him to prove his assertions, assuring him that he 
 should suffer no injury, and even be heard in pre- 
 ference to himself. 
 
 Not to be wholly silent, the monk adduced Farel's 
 opposition to offerings and sacrifices, as being con- 
 
58 farel's journet to basle, 
 
 trary to the Divine will, though presented from gra- 
 titude and a regard to the glor^' of God. Farel, in 
 reply, explained what the glon,' of God and gratitude 
 for his mercies required, namely, assisting the 
 poor, obeying the Divine commands, worshipping 
 God in spirit and in truth, the sacrifice of a contrite 
 heart, repentance, a regard to God's will in our 
 mode of worship, a pious and truly clristian deport- 
 ment, and seeking forgiveness for the many \-iolations 
 of our baptismal vows. On Fail's making some 
 additional remarks respecting the^ only rule for the 
 faith and practice of a christian, the monk seemed 
 almost beside himself. He tool off his cap, threw it 
 on the ground, trampled it u»der his feet, and ex- 
 claimed, " I wonder that thi earth does not open 
 and swallow us up ! " Whist behaving in this irra- 
 tional manner, one of the lystanders took him by the 
 sleeve, saying, " Listen to him, as he has listened to 
 you ; " on which he caled out, " Thou art under ex- 
 communication, and dost thou lay thy hands upon 
 me ! " " ■\\Tiat ! " said the other, " are all excom- 
 municated who touch thy cowl ? Hast thou a different 
 God } or art thou baptized into a different name ? 
 Art thou not to be spoken to ?" Farel added, " You 
 seem much astonished at being addressed so freely ; 
 but in truth, I have long been astonished at the 
 goodness of God, which still suffers those to live who 
 pay so little regard to their baptismal vow, and show 
 more reverence for a poor fellow sinner than for 
 their ]\Iaker." 
 
AND APPOINTMENT TO ^LEN. 
 
 59 
 
 This noisy debate was ended abruptly by the ap- 
 pearance of a magistrate, who put both Farel and 
 the monk under arrest, and confined them apart 
 from each other in the prison belonging to the 
 castle. On the Saturday morning, they were brought 
 before [the court. Faa-el, in addressing his judges, 
 reminded them that they sat in God's stead, and had 
 received power from him, in order to punish the 
 wicked, and protect the good ; that their office re- 
 quired them to keep in view the glorj^ of God, with- 
 out regard to person or rank, like the pious kings 
 and judges of old. He then brought forward his 
 complaint against the monk, and maintained that 
 he ought to be compelled to prove his assertions re- 
 specting his (Farel's) doctrine. For himself, if it 
 were found that he had preached any thing contrary 
 to the word of God, he was wiUing to suffer the 
 severest punishment, as a warning to others against 
 propagating erroneous doctrine. He concluded by 
 beseeching the judges to put a stop to the present 
 disputes, by making a suitable provision for the reli- 
 gious instruction of the people. 
 
 The monk then fell on his knees before his judges, 
 and very humbly begged pardon of God and them. 
 In the same manner he entreated Farel's forgiveness, 
 declaring him to be an honourable man, and his doc- 
 trine to be true ; thus retracting all he had said against 
 him. Farel replied with much emotion, " My friend 
 and brother, do not ask forgiveness of me. Before 
 I saw you, I had forgiven you as well as others, who 
 
60 FAREL's journey to BASLE, 
 
 have spoken against me, and have prayed to God both 
 for them and you. I am only a poor sinner like other 
 men, and trust not in any works or righteousness of 
 my own, but in the death of Jesus." 
 
 He then requested that the monk might not be 
 subjected to any further punishment ; and expressed 
 his hope that neither he nor his brethren would ven- 
 ture to say any thing of him behind his back, which 
 they were not prepared to maintain to his face. 
 
 In conclusion, it was agreed that the monk should 
 be present next day at Far el's sermon, and if he found 
 it good and true, should acknowledge it before all the 
 people, but if otherwise, should give a statement of 
 his own sentiments. The monk signified his assent 
 to this, but notwithstanding his solemn promise, and 
 though he concurred apparently in a friendly man- 
 ner with Farel, after the trial, in the castle-yard, yet 
 he never showed his face again in ^len. 
 
 As the monks frequently visited the nunnery of 
 St. Clara at Vevey, Farel wrote a faithful account of 
 the whole affair for the use of the nuns, and took the 
 opportunity of urging them to foUow the holy doc- 
 trines of the evangehsts and apostles, to regulate 
 their lives by the example and precepts of the Saviour, 
 and to try all things conscientiously. His exhort- 
 ation, however, appeared to have little or no effect, 
 and after the reformation had been established in 
 that part of Switzerland, the convent was removed 
 to the territories of Savoy. 
 
 While separated from his friends, Farel neglected 
 
AXD APPOINTMENT TO ^LEN. 
 
 61 
 
 no opportunity of self-improvement, and of gaining 
 that knowledge which would tend to establish him- 
 self and others in the truth. He diligently read aU 
 the writings of Zuinglius and his friends. He parti- 
 cularly valued that reformer's "friendly explanation" 
 of the Lord's Supper, for the simphcity of its views, 
 combined with learning, moderation, and charity. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE DISPUTATION HKLD AT BERNE, AND ITS 
 CONSEQUENCES IN iELEN. 
 
 On the 1st of January, 1528, a meeting was con- 
 vened at Berne, for the purpose of settling the points 
 in dispute between the friends and the opponents of 
 the reformed faith, and of instituting a scriptural 
 form of worship. Farel, along with the other minis- 
 ters of his canton, attended, and we may imagine with 
 how much pleasure he met Zuinglius, Qicolampadius, 
 the Strasburg divines, Sebastian, Hofmeister, and 
 other friends, and united with them in advocating the 
 cause of sacred truth. 
 
 On account of Farel's imperfect acquaintance with 
 the German language, he took no part in the chief 
 disputation, but was appointed to defend ten propo- 
 sitions against the clergy of Valais. 
 
 The senate had invited the bishops of Lausanne, 
 Basle, and Constance, either to attend in per- 
 son, or to send deputies. The bishop of Lausanne, 
 on receiving the application, replied, that he had no 
 persons under his jurisdiction sufficiently acquainted 
 with the Scriptures to undertake so important 
 
THE DISPUTATION HELD AT BERNE. 63 
 
 an affair as an examination of religion ; at length, 
 however, he sent deputies ; four Parisian doctors 
 in theology were also present, and about 350 priests. 
 Of the competency of the former we may form 
 some notion from a fact attested by Bullinger, that 
 one of them, in order to defend authority in mat- 
 ters of religion, declared we must obey the laws of 
 devils, how much more the ordinances of men or of 
 the church. To prove the first part of his assertion, 
 he gravely adduced Matthew v. 25, " Agree with 
 thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way 
 with him." 
 
 When called upon to sign the theses, Farelwasthe 
 only one of the Valais preachers who comphed. The 
 rest of the clergy- of ^len, the vicar of Neuveville, 
 and the curates of Bex, Ormont, Olon, and ^len, 
 went away, protesting against the propositions. 
 
 Scarcely had the convocation ended their labours, 
 when an ordinance of the senate appeared, which de- 
 clared that the return to the scriptural faith and the 
 free use of the sacred volume was a right which be- 
 longed to the people, and called upon the churches 
 throughout the canton to follow the example of the 
 capital. In the district of yElen, however, the people 
 were not much incUned to comply with the ordinance, 
 though the influence of the superior clergy was no 
 longer to be feared there. Adrian von Riedmatten, 
 bishop of Sitten, was an aged man, and acknowledged 
 that many abuses existed contrary to the word of 
 God. The inferior clergy were corrupt in their 
 
64 THE DISPUTATION HELD AT BERNE, 
 
 morals, rude in their manners, and extremely ignorant. 
 As they were unable to support their cause by argu- 
 ment, other means were employed to injure the re- 
 formation and its adherents. Mischievous individuals 
 were not wanting to circulate reports, that the pope, 
 the emperor, and the king of France, would join arms 
 against the Bernese if they renounced the ancient 
 faith. Ridicide and slander were unsparingly em- 
 ployed againt Farel. Schemes for counteracting the 
 reformation were brought forward in tumultuous as- 
 sembUes, and it was openly asserted that it did not 
 become the senate of Berne to sanction such innova- 
 tions. Some persons were so audacious as to tear 
 the ordinance from the church- doors. The senate 
 immediately dispatched one of their number, whom 
 we mentioned above, Nicholas von Grafenried, to 
 .^len, to put a stop to these rebellious proceedings. 
 He was the bearer of strict orders to Diesbach the 
 governor to protect Farel, and to make suitable ar- 
 rangements with him respecting the church property 
 and the salaries of the preachers ; but this measure 
 only caused greater disturbance. The curate and 
 syndic of ^len united to oppose Farel ; the people 
 were even called together by beat of drum to attack 
 those who favoured the refomation. Fresh instruc- 
 tions were given to secure for Farel the hberty of 
 preaching immolested, and envoys were sent who 
 called a meeting of the four parishes. In .^len, 
 Olon, and Bex, a majority were in favour of the re- 
 formation. Hopes were then entertained that a 
 
THE DISPUTATION HELD AT BERNE. 65 
 
 foundation was laid for religious concord, and the en- 
 vovs were desired to express the senate's approbation 
 <if the churches who had reUnquished the mass ; orders 
 \\ ere also given to pull down the altars, and burn the 
 images. 
 
 Farel \-isited Berne to give an account of his par- 
 tiiU success, and of the obstacles that still prevented 
 the full accomplishment of his pious efforts. He re- 
 ceived many presents, ha\-ing hitherto lived at his 
 own charge, and was sent back to ^Elen \mder an 
 escort, with injunctions to the governor to allow him 
 to preach in all the parishes, to remove the images 
 from the prion", and to urge the inhabitants of Bex 
 to complete the reformation which they had begun. 
 
 Verj' unexpectedly, deputies from the four parishes, 
 with messengers from NeuveviUe and Chesse, ap- 
 peared before the senate of Berne, and requested that 
 they might be allowed to retain the mass and other 
 ceremonies. The senate commanded that the three 
 churches wliich had already received the refonnation 
 should carr)^ it fully into effect; and so far refused to 
 grant their petition. Ormont still adhered to its 
 ancient creed. The senate exercised forbearance with 
 the uninformed people of this district, and allowed 
 them time for dehberation till ^Tiitsuntide, on condi- 
 tion, however, of their hearing the word of God, and 
 suffering no one to speak from the pulpit against the 
 orders that had been issued. 
 
 At Olon, very disorderly proceedings occurred. 
 While Farel was preaching, William Jajcd fell upon. 
 
66 THE DISPUTATION HELD AT BERN'E. 
 
 him, and excited others, both men and women, to join 
 in the assault. The senate were astonished that the 
 governor should have allowed this outrage to pass 
 unpunished, and ordered him to arrest the rioters, to 
 protect Farel with greater care, to attend more mi- 
 nutely to the fulfilment of their orders, and to pre- 
 vent the intrusion of foreign preachers. 
 
 But these measures were of little avail, though the 
 governor had fuU power to punish offenders, and send 
 the contumacious to Berne. Peter Chappelet, one of 
 the churchwardens of Bex, was maltreated while at- 
 tempting to remove the images. Farel appointed 
 Simon Robert to be minister of Bex, but the warden 
 of the place would not suffer him to preach; and 
 Columbo the curate refused to leave, being forbidden 
 by the incumbent, tliough the latter had no real au- 
 thority, having been deprived of the hvings at JElen 
 and Bex by the law against pluralities. The inha- 
 bitants of Olon, also, would not receive the minister 
 appointed by Farel. 
 
 Commissioners were again sent to put an end to 
 these irregularities. The period allowed for dehbera- 
 tion to the parish of ^len having expired, the inha- 
 bitants were ordered to dismiss the curate, and receive 
 the refonned preacher ; but they remained disaffected. 
 Farel was frequently interrupted while preaching, 
 and on one occasion the pulpit was overturned. Many 
 of the clergy continued to lead an impure and im- 
 moral life. At Easter mass was again performed by 
 John Brolloy, and many persons went to other parishes 
 
THE DISPUTATION HELD AT BERNE. 
 
 67 
 
 to hear mass, confess, and have their children 
 baptized. 
 
 Such being the state of things, it seemed necessary 
 to appoint a governor favourable to the reformed 
 doctrine, and disposed to carry into effect the com- 
 mands of liis superiors. Hans Rudolf NageU was 
 chosen to this important office, and amply justified 
 their choice by his finn and prudent conduct. Depu- 
 ties accompanied the new governor, who were ordered 
 to urge the reception of the reformation on the 
 parish of Ormont, assuring them of the especial pro- 
 tection of the senate. Besides orders similar to those 
 given to former deputies, they were directed to raze 
 to the ground the altars that were still standing, to 
 bum the images, to deface the paintings, and to ac- 
 comphsh whatever yet remained to complete the 
 overthrow of the ancient system. 
 
 The deputies faithfully discharged their commission, 
 and their energetic measures were eff'ectual ; tranquil- 
 lit)' was restored ; the number of the friends of the 
 reformation and their courage increased. The ancient 
 superstition retained its firmest hold on the people of 
 Ormont, but at length its influence was destroyed 
 even there by the exertions of the ministers, and the 
 strict enforcement of the orders of government. The 
 progress of the reformed doctrine made a consider- 
 able impression on the inhabitants of the Pays de 
 Vaud, and they were graduaDy convinced that what 
 had been so much decried was the simple gospel di- 
 vested of all human additions. 
 
68 
 
 THE DISPUTATION HELD AT BERNE. 
 
 Farel's position in ^len was for a long time one 
 of great difficulty, since at first he stood alone, and 
 the more respectable part of the population were 
 strongly prejudiced against the gospel. Under such 
 circumstances many would have despaired of success, 
 but he trusted in God, who could bring the most un- 
 toward events to a favourable issue. As the senate 
 had authorised him to appoint preachers in the room 
 of popish curates, he wrote for that purpose to his 
 friends at Strasburg and Basle. Qicolampadius re- 
 commended to him Simon Robert, (a man trained in 
 the school of affliction,) who immediately left a sick 
 wife, and relinquished superior worldly prospects, to 
 join Farel. He also obtained another assistant of the 
 name of Deodatus. Two others were appointed to 
 neighbouring parishes. Many others followed as 
 soon as it was known in France that he was in want 
 of pious fellow-labourers. But there were also some 
 who sought only their own advancement, and not that 
 of the Lord's kingdom. In reference to such cha- 
 racters he remarked on one occasion, " How much 
 light would rise upon the world if all sought to pro- 
 mote the honour of God, and the love of their neigh- 
 bour ! but how many attack the brethren for the pur- 
 pose of treading down the pasture and troubling the 
 waters." 
 
 In the midst of these arduous engagements, he did 
 not forget his native land. " I know not," said he, 
 " how any good can come to my countrymen under 
 an infatuated king who suffers the people to be pro - 
 
THE DISPUTATION HELD AT BERNE. 69 
 
 hibited from reading the New Testament, so that no 
 way is open for them to obtain a knowledge of the 
 truth either by means of rehgious books, or personal 
 instruction." But he consoled himself with the re- 
 flection, that "the Father had reserved the times and 
 seasons in his own power," and would interpose when 
 he saw fit. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 farel's evangelical mission. 
 
 The peace concluded in June, 1529, between Zurich 
 and its evangelical confederates and the five central 
 cantons, gave free admission to the word of God into 
 the territories of each. The reception of the re- 
 formation was to be decided in aU cases by the majo- 
 rity. This rule was adopted at Berne and Friburg 
 for the parts under their jurisdiction, which already 
 contained many secret friends of the reformed faith. 
 The Divine word only needed a more imrestricted 
 promulgation in order to increase the number of its 
 adherents. 
 
 Farel received an open letter of recommendation to 
 all the lordships, towns, and parishes of the cantons 
 which were in alliance with Berne, to permit him to 
 preach the gospel. The first place he visited was 
 Murten, where only a few years before the avarice of 
 the bishop of Lausanne had attempted to impose a 
 tax upon the people at the celebration of mass. In a 
 short time the new preacher was Ustened to by many 
 with great approbation, and gained over to the Pro- 
 testant faith not only many of the laity, but also some 
 of the priests. The good effects of his exertions be- 
 
farel's evangelical mission-. 71 
 
 gan to appear in the Pays de Vaud. At Lausanne a 
 considerable number of persons had abandoned popen,-, 
 but after several attempts Farel was obhged, in conse- 
 quence of the determined opposition of the bishop 
 and his partizans, to abandon this important sphere 
 of labour. Before he left Murten he %Hsited several 
 places in the vicinity. In October he preached at 
 Neustadt. Notwithstanding the attempts of the 
 bishop of Basle to exclude liim from this place, he 
 persisted in his efforts to introduce the gospel, and 
 chose for his assistant in the w ork, John Bosset, who 
 preached there not without success. In a short time, 
 he was able to announce to the senate of Berne, that 
 the inhabitants were ready to profess pubhcly the re- 
 formed faith, which accordingly took place in the 
 presence of their deputies. 
 
 After preaching with great acceptance in Neuf- 
 chatel, Farel returned by way of Murten to ^len. 
 The inhabitants of ^lurten woiild gladly have detained 
 him tiU after Christmas, but the senate of Berne 
 refused their consent. This decision, however, was 
 speedily revoked, for scarcely had he reached ^Elen, 
 when news was brought that ]Murten had adopted 
 the reformed faith ; but the opposite party mustered 
 their forces in such strength that the presence of a 
 wise and courageous minister seemed absolutely 
 necessary to prevent a relapse to popen,-. Farel was 
 recalled, therefore, in haste from ^len, by a special 
 messenger. As he and the courier stopped for the 
 
FAREL S EVANGELICAL MISSION. 
 
 night at St. Martin de Vaud, Apno, the curate of 
 the place, and two other priests, assailed them with 
 the most opprobrious language. They re^■iled Farel 
 as a heretic and a devil, and called the courier's 
 badges an infernal mark. In acting thus, they 
 reckoned, probably, on the approbation of their 
 master, Count John, who had said of Farel, " that 
 the "\'alais Luther ought to be burnt! " On arriving 
 at Murten, Farel not only frustrated the schemes of 
 his opponents, but entered with zeal on the reform- 
 ation of the adjoining districts. He filled all Wistel- 
 lach with his doctrine. Tlie free burghers complained 
 that he preached where no one was disposed to hear 
 him. The senate of Berne desired him to give an 
 account of his proceedings, reminded liim that Mur- 
 ten was his special charge, and that unless sent for 
 by others, he ought to remain in a place where his in- 
 stiTictions were listened to with eagerness. 
 
 Being in the neighbourhood of Biel, Farel visited 
 that place also, which had followed the example of 
 Berne. He then proceeded to the vale of Munster, 
 the inhabitants of which were the more inclined to 
 abandon popen,-, on account of the hea\y bondage 
 under which they groaned. They had before their 
 eves the dissolute lives of the dean and canons of 
 Munster, -who were notorious for every species of 
 •vice. Taxes were levied upon them for expenses 
 which the revenues of the abbey were originally de- 
 signed to Uquidate. Every year they were obhged 
 
farkl's evangelical mission. 73 
 
 to confess publicly ; and whether they came volun- 
 tarily, or in consequence of being informed against, 
 a considerable sum was to be paid as confession- 
 money. The courts of justice were very expensive, 
 and even a tax was imposed on the dead. In this 
 state of spiritual and civil oppression, they applied 
 to Berne for assistance, so that when Farel arrived, 
 he found them prepared to give him and his doctrine 
 a cordial reception. During the mass, he preached 
 at Tavannes against the corruptions of religion with 
 such energ\- that the people demolished the altars 
 and images on the spot. Tlie officiating priest fled 
 terrified from the altar. In a short time the whole 
 valley was disposed to adopt the reformation. Farel 
 was assisted here by two other ministers. 
 
 The bishop of Basle, who was also proprietor of 
 the vale of Munster, witnessed with much displeasure 
 the progress of the reformation in its numerous vil- 
 lages and hamlets, and endeavoured by every means 
 in his power to counteract it. He complained loudly 
 of Farel's intemperate zeal in destroying the images, 
 and the abusive language which he had used in re- 
 ference to himself. The senate of Berne expressed 
 their regret and disapprobation if such had reaUy 
 been Farel's conduct, and transmitted to him the 
 bishop's charges and threats. They further reminded 
 him, that his proper office was the preaching of the 
 gospel, and not the destruction of images ; and that 
 to ascertain the sentiments of the majority relative 
 
74 farel's evangelical mission. 
 
 to the reformed faith was a matter which belonged 
 only to themselves. They also advised him to be 
 prudent in preaching the doctrine of christian Uberty, 
 that he might not countenance those lawless persons, 
 who, under pretence of christian freedom, would claim 
 exemption from all taxes. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE PROGRESS OF THE REFORMATION AT NEUFCHATEL. 
 
 For seventeen years, twelve of the confederate states 
 had governed the province of Neufcliatel, on which 
 they had seized in consequence of the Duke of Lon- 
 gueville's (to whom it belonged) having borne arms 
 against them in the service of France. His widow, 
 Joanna, Margravine of Hochherg, was at last, 
 through the mediation of Francis i., and of the 
 cantons in alliance with her, reinstated in her rights 
 in August 1529. Previous to this period, nothing 
 was done to promote the refonnation, as the governors 
 appointed by the cantons were, in general, its avowed 
 enemies. Still the spiritual domination of popery 
 was not whoUy unchecked. A priest having laid the 
 parish of Courtelari under his ban, the local magis- 
 trate was instructed to arrest and confine him tiU he 
 had put down this weapon of ecclesiastical warfare. 
 The Bishop of Lausanne was recommended to annul 
 the excommunication, if he wished to prevent dis- 
 agreeable consequences. The states also took the 
 part of the oppressed people, against the claims of 
 the canons, who laid an impost on property, which 
 
76 
 
 THE PROGHKSS OF THE 
 
 had been exempt for fifty or one hundred years 
 Tliey also rendered assistance to the town,, when the 
 abbey and nobility refused to pay a tax which was 
 laid on all the inhabitants, and when the parish 
 priest or his curate seized upon the alms given to the 
 chapel of the hospital. 
 
 The corruption of morals among the clergy was 
 very great. Several benefices were held by the 
 dean, an illegitimate son of the reigning prince. 
 Concubinage was so common, that the founder of the 
 chapel of St. William thought it necessarj- specifically 
 to exclude such as practised it, or were otherwise 
 immoral, from officiating at the altar. The cathedral, 
 with its nineteen altars and twenty-nine chapels, and 
 its splendid ceremonial, formed a striking but melan- 
 choly contrast to the unholy character of its priest- 
 hood ; it was a magnificent sepulchre of rehgion 
 rather than her temple. Nothing was heard of the 
 Scriptures or gospel history, unless as burlesqued 
 and travestied in spiritual comedies acted by the 
 canons, and which attracted such crowds that the 
 magistrates were apprehensive for the safety of the 
 town. 
 
 Such was the state of the country, when the 
 confederate cantons resigned the government to the 
 margravine. She appointed as governor a noble- 
 man of the Pays de Vaud, George de Rive of Pran- 
 gius, in alliance with the Bernese, but zealous for 
 the ancient faith, to which the pinjicess was also 
 attached. The superior clergy were rich, powerful. 
 
BEPOEMATIOy AT NECFCHATEL. 77 
 
 and corrupt ; the people uiitaught, rude, and war- 
 like ; so that the state of all classes presented for- 
 midable obstacles to the adoption of a purer faith. 
 Farel, however, was not deterred from attempting to 
 sow the seed of the Divine word ; nor were favour- 
 able circumstances altogether wanting. Berne had 
 obtained a preponderating influence, owing to its 
 securit}' and friendly disposition towards the prin- 
 cess. The margravine herself was absent ; and 
 throughout the pro%-ince an impression generally pre- 
 vailed that some changes in religious matters were 
 absolutely necessary. 
 
 On the borders an evangehcal minister had laboured 
 even before the commencement of the reformation. 
 Dr. Thomas \V)-ttenbach, who had been led to the 
 study of the Scriptures by Zuinglius and Leo Juda, 
 was minister of the church at Ino, and in that retired 
 situation imparted the light of christian faith, which 
 he afterwards diffused more extensively at Biel. 
 Emer Be\Tion of St. Inner, vicar of Sevrieres, was 
 also another friend of the gospel, to whom Farel re- 
 paired, confiding in the similarity of their \-iews. He 
 began to preach outside the church, (not being 
 allowed to enter the pulpit,) and continued to do so, 
 notwithstanding the opposition of the governor and 
 the canons. Many persons from the neighbouring 
 towns, whose rehgious anxieties were awakened, 
 came to hear him, and invited him to their houses, 
 regardless of the offence it might give to their supe- 
 riors. The -whole- town became his church. He 
 
78 
 
 THK PROGRESS OF THE 
 
 preached in the market-place, in the streets, at the 
 gates, before the houses, and in the squares, and 
 with such persuasiveness and effect, that he won over 
 many to the gospel, as well as secured their personal 
 attachment. The people crowded to hear his ser- 
 mons, and could not be kept back, either by threats 
 or persuasions. Some of the lowest class, it is true, 
 instigated by the opponents of the truth, threatened 
 to throw Farel into a weU ; but this had no effect on 
 the undaunted preacher. He published the gospel 
 for several days to increasing multitudes. Sur- 
 ]jrised at his success, he wrote to his colleagues at 
 --Elen, as follows : " Unite with me in thanking the 
 Father of mercies, for so graciously enUghtening 
 those who were oppressed with the severest t\Tanny. 
 God is my witness that I did not leave you, with 
 whom I would gladly live and die, in order to escape 
 bearing the cross. The glory of Christ, and the 
 attachment shown to his word by his disciples in 
 this place, enable me to bear great and inexpressible 
 sufferings ; but, by the power of Christ, all my bur- 
 dens are rendered light." 
 
 Farel remained only a short time in Neufchatel, 
 and then returned by way of Murten to ^len. He 
 also visited Neustadt and Lausanne, and having 
 established the reformation in IMistellach and the 
 valley of Munster, he returned the following summer 
 to Neufchatel. Upon his return, he found the place 
 divided into two parties. The advocates for the 
 ancient system were numerous, respectable, and 
 
REFORMATION AT NEUFCHATEL. 
 
 79 
 
 ))o\verful, possessing considerable influence over the 
 lower classes. On the other side were the citizens 
 of the middle class, inferior in numbers and strength, 
 hut more enterprising. Farel resumed his preaching 
 h.ljours in the public squares and in private houses. 
 'Hie number of his friends increased daily, and the 
 I hapel of the hospital was thrown open to him. In 
 tIk first sermon he preached there, he expressed his 
 ii that as Christ was born a poor and distressed 
 infant in a manger, so the habitation of the poor in 
 that city would be the birth-place of his gospel. He 
 not only preached earnestly against the worship of 
 images, but set the example of mutilating them. 
 This profanation of what was so sacred in their eyes 
 exasperated his opponents. The senate at Berne 
 attempted to concihate the contending parties, by 
 ordering that persons shoidd be at Uberty to at- 
 tend the popish or reformed worship as they pleased, 
 without molestation or disturbance. They enjoined 
 upon Farel moderation and prudence in preaching 
 the liberty of the gospel, that the people might not 
 receive it merely as freeing them from external impo- 
 sitions. These orders, however, appear to have 
 widened, instead of heahng the breach. Tlie canons, 
 some of whom were not disinclined to the reform- 
 ation, were called upon either to defend or renounce 
 popery from the pulpit ; but they refused to enter 
 the lists of controversy, and the jealousy on both 
 sides increased. 
 
 The example of the town was followed by the 
 
80 
 
 THE PROGRESS OF THE 
 
 country parishes. For a considerable time no mass 
 had been performed at St. Blaise. On the 23rd of 
 October, Farel remarked in the course of his sermon, 
 that the gospel was deserving of not less honour than 
 the mass, and ought to be preached in the abbey 
 church. The congregation, by a sudden impulse, rose 
 up and led him to the church, regardless of the canons, 
 who attempted in vain to prevent his ascending the 
 pulpit. He then preached with great earnestness on 
 the popish doctrines, and proved so clearly and power- 
 fully the accordance of his own sentiments with the 
 Scriptures, that many persons were deeply affected, 
 and exclaimed, " We will obey the evangelical doc- 
 trines ; we and our children wiU hve and die in them." 
 An ungovernable zeal now seized the multitude; it 
 seemed as if they expected to annihilate popery by a 
 single blow, and by removing idols from the sight 
 to eradicate idolatry from the heart. Many images 
 were destroyed or mutilated, not excepting that of the 
 Virgin Mary which had been presented to the abbey 
 church by the princess Maria of Savoy. The go- 
 vernor, finding remonstrance fruitless, saved the 
 moveable pictures and images, and caused them to be 
 conveyed to the castle. The soldiers, who were just 
 returned from the war in Savoy, instead of repressing 
 the tumidt, excited their countrymen to fall upon the 
 canons. The next day they renewed the attack, and 
 having armed themselves with hatchets, threw down 
 the crucifix, and demolished various images. The 
 host was treated with the greatest indignity. The 
 
REFORMATION AT NEUFCHATEL. 
 
 81 
 
 altai's were demolished, and the church cleansed fi-om 
 the Romish worship. 
 
 As, however, only a small part of the citizens 
 were actively engaged in these proceedings, the 
 irovernor still believed that the majority were in 
 favour of the ancient faith, and wished to ascertain 
 the fact, by calling a meeting of the parishioners ; 
 but the friends of the reformation insisted that this 
 step should not be taken in the absence of the Ber- 
 nese commissioners. He was, therefore, compelled 
 to apply to the senate, who immediately despatched 
 the commissioners. The papists now wished for 
 delay, while their opponents were eager for a speedy 
 decision. The governor would gladly have called i 
 the aid of the three other confederate cantons, but 
 the Bernese assumed a high tone, threatened him 
 with their displeasure, and reproved him for his 
 opposition to the pure word of God. On appearing 
 before the arbitrators, the governor complained 
 loudly of the demolition of the images, and demanded 
 in the name of his sovereign the restoration of the 
 church to its former state, together with the re- 
 establishment of the mass, and of the usual ceremonies, 
 in accordance with the will of those by whom it was 
 originally founded and endowed. The opposite party 
 replied, that they were prepared to prove that the 
 mass was a great abuse, that it contributed to the 
 destruction and not to the salvation of souls ; that 
 on many occasions thev had remonstrated with the 
 canons and other priests, who had only persisted the 
 
 G 
 
82 PROGRESS OF THE 
 
 more in deceiving the people and leading them astr.j ) i 
 that in order to stop corruption in its course, and tir 
 remove a stumbhng-block from many who were sbii 
 undecided, they had deemed it needful to demtusiv/^ 
 the images and altars, and were prepared to defendb 
 their conduct by an appeal to the Scriptures. 
 
 The commissioners, having heard both sides, V'' 
 posed to ascertain the sense of the meeting. This 
 was for a long time resisted by the popish party, some- 
 of whom went so far as to talk of resorting to aims 
 in defence of their faith, or of dying as martyrs in 
 the cause. But the governor, fearful of the conse- 
 quences to himself, to the princess, and to the coun- 
 try at large, withdrew his opposition, and was followed 
 by the rest, who expressed, however, in strong terms 
 their allegiance to the princess, and their determi- 
 nation to support her authority. To this the evan- 
 gelical party also gave their assent, with the reserv- 
 ation of whatever might affect their rehgious obli- 
 gations. The votes were then taken by mutaal 
 consent, and the friends of the reformation had at 
 the close a majority of eighteen. 
 
 The 4th of November was the memorable day on 
 which the return to the apostoUc doctrine was for- 
 mally decreed. For a long period the inscription 
 was visible on the walls of the church, " On the 
 23rd of October, 1530, the worship of images was 
 abohshed by the Citizens." The concluding act of 
 the commissioners was to issue an edict, by which the 
 rights of the princess and of the citizens were defined 
 
REFORMATION AT NEUFCHATEL. 
 
 83 
 
 ecured, obedience and unanimity enjoined, with 
 Ijlivion of party animosities, the reformation esta- 
 lied, and while the mass and all popish ceremonies 
 ^rv abolished, acts of violence against the priests 
 aid monasteries were forbidden. 
 This new order of things related only to the church 
 >ufchatel. No innovation was permitted to be 
 made in the neighbouring abbey of Fontaine, nor in 
 ixny of the other parishes or convents in the coun- 
 try. On the other hand, the governor was forbidden 
 to persecute any of the country people who might be 
 disposed to embrace the reformed religion ; he was 
 also pledged not to injure any of those persons who 
 liad voted for the recent change. In aD these trans- 
 actions, the citizens referred to the holy Scriptures, 
 and not to the preachers ; nor did the governor 
 make any allusion to Farel in the full statement of 
 the events which he made to the princess. 
 
 Mass continued to be performed in the castle, but 
 was absolutely forbidden in the town. The canons, 
 Chambrier, Baillod, and Fury, acceded to the reform- 
 ation ; the rest withdrew along with the choristers to 
 the priory of Motier in the Val Travers. The governor, 
 to check the spread of the reformation, sent for the 
 churchwardens of the country parishes, and obtained 
 from them assurances of their attachment to the 
 ancient faith. He also held communications with 
 persons both of the higher and lower ordez-s, in the 
 hopes of being able to reverse the recent decision. 
 Mass was privately performed, and children brought 
 G 2 
 
84 THE PROGRESS OF THE 
 
 for baptism to the priests, who manifeste sj-.j) t, 
 strongly than ever their hatred to the word o. ©to 
 and to the new regulations. When the sen& jli ■ 
 Berne were informed of these clandestine pro. .jw 
 ings, they immediately reprimanded the governi-. j 
 strong terms, and gave the town council £tri( 
 junctions to see to it that the recent enactment-' 
 were maintained inviolate. 
 
 Emer Beynon and the parish of Serrieres followed 
 the example of Neufehatel, while the curate oi St. 
 Blaise endeavoured to restore the mass, which had 
 not been performed for six months. On this occa- 
 sion the governor professed neutrality, and declared 
 that he would neither forbid nor command it. The 
 popish party laid a plan for attacking their opponents 
 on Christmas-day, and restoring the ancient ritual ; 
 but were prevented from executing their design by 
 the prompt interference of the Bernese. 
 
 The hopes of the disaffected were raised by the 
 expected aiTival of the young marquis ; but when he 
 came, though he made several arrangements in reli- 
 gious matters, they related chiefly to the temporalities 
 of the church. He pledged himself to allow gene- 
 ral liberty of conscience ; and thus the reformation 
 still continued to advance. Farel was held in grate- 
 ful esteem by the council and the citizens, as being 
 the chief instrument of efl^ecting this great change, 
 and they would gladly have retained him at Neuf- 
 ehatel, had his engagements with the Bernese govern- 
 ment permitted. He returned to Murten, and An- 
 
REFORMATION AT NEUFCHATEL. 
 
 85 
 
 Marcourt, a Frenchman, successfully prose- 
 the work which he had begun. In order to 
 e a good education for the young, Farel pro- 
 * a schoolmaster of christian principles, Louis of 
 '^W^urg, who had been recommended to him by 
 ' 'end Bonifacius Wolfhard. 
 
 O'' a retrospect of these occurrences, Farel thus 
 expressed himself : " It is well that the deceptions 
 of antichrist are apparent to most persons, and that 
 Chr'^t can be preached with perfect liberty. But 
 when I consider how much still remains to be ac- 
 complished, how far the people are from christian 
 purity, innocence, and love, I am obliged to confess 
 that the state of things is very lamentable. How 
 many weeds must yet be rooted up before the soil 
 can receive the seed ! How many trials are to be 
 endured, how many efforts to be made, how many 
 danf -"rous foes to be overcome ! Truly hardy la- 
 bourers are necessar}-, who will sow, even without 
 the hope of an abundant harvest." 
 
 To a young man who expressed a desire to labour 
 in the Lord's vineyard, he wrote as follows : "If 
 you are truly acquainted with Christ, so as to preach 
 him in simplicity and purity, without vain disputes 
 about water and bread, (baptism and the Lord's 
 supper,) tribute and tithe, in which the rehgion of 
 many consists ; if you have no desire to bring for- 
 ward any thing else than that all men should deny 
 all ungodliness and unrighteousness, and, full of 
 faith, lay up treasure in heaven, where Christ sitteth 
 
86 
 
 THE PROGRESS OP THE 
 
 at the right hand of God ; that they should be sub- 
 ject to the civil authorities, paying the tithe and 
 tribute due to them, not only to the ungodly, if in 
 the providence of God they are under the govern- 
 ment of such, but also to the pious, and to the latter 
 the more wiUingly, as being their brethren ; and 
 if it be your chief desire to implant that faith 
 which works by love, then come courageously, and 
 take up the cross, which stands ready for you. Look 
 for labour, not for leisure ; expect no rest tiU the 
 day's work is ended. Tnily, a wide field lies open, 
 but only for those who wish to feed the flock, not to 
 live upon it. Besides this, much reproach is to be 
 endured ; you must expect to meet with ingratitude 
 in return for kindness, and evil for good. But do 
 not suppose that I mention these things to deter 
 you : I would rather inflame you with the courage of 
 a hero, who, though the foe he is about to meet be 
 strong and well armed, is ready to enter into the 
 hottest of the fight, trusting in that God whose is 
 the conflict and the victoiy; for the battle is not 
 ours, but the Lord's." 
 
 When Fortunatus Andronicus delayed his coming, 
 under the pretext that his wife could not endxire such 
 liardships, Farel v/rote to him, saying, " If you have 
 received grace to preach the gospel, do not bury your 
 talent ; for you will have to answer for the souls of 
 those who are the slaves of spiritual tyranny, and 
 whom you might have enhghtened and led to Christ. 
 It ought not to deter you, that I can promise you 
 
REFORMATION AT NEUFCHATEL. 87 
 
 scarcely any salan-, for you know that we ought for 
 Ciirist's sake to endure hunger and poverty, and 
 even death itself. Nor must you regard your wife 
 in this affair; all must be set aside for the sake of 
 Chi ist, nor must we inquire what a woman can or 
 will do, but what God wills and commands." This 
 letter of Farel's produced its intended effect. For- 
 tunatus came with his wife. It should be remem- 
 bered, that Farel's letters were written in the midst 
 of much occupation and affliction, and that he de- 
 sired nothing from others, of which he did not set 
 the example. In all his trials he consoled himself 
 with the thought that " God wiU never forsake his 
 people ; if he were to violate his promise, we should 
 indeed be in a miserable state, but he is faithful and 
 true, and cannot lie." 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 farel's journeys and sufferings in behalf of 
 
 THE reformation. 
 
 Farel visited Neufchatel from time to time for the 
 purpose of confirming the newly planted christian 
 church, and of preaching the gospel in the adjacent 
 neighbourhood. In Boudevillers, the governor threat- 
 ened those who received the reformed faith with 
 confiscation and imprisonment, and was only pre- 
 vented from accomplishing his threats by the inter- 
 vention of Berne. In Bevay, where the word of God 
 had been eagerly listened to, the prior excited a 
 tumult ; and, not content with instigating the town's 
 people to an attack upon the congi-egation during Di- 
 vine service, called in the assistance of other persons 
 from Baudry. They drove the preacher out of the 
 church, and reviled and assaulted him. Here again 
 the Bernese government interposed with a strong re- 
 monstrance. 
 
 Bordering on Neufchatel hes the district and town 
 of Valangin. Tlie widow of Count Claudius, of 
 Aarberg, Wilhelmina von Vergy, resided here. Her 
 zeal for popery, though great, was exceeded by that 
 
farel's journeys and sufferings. 
 
 89 
 
 of her chamberlain, Claudius von Belgrade. But 
 their united efforts could not prevent the entrance of 
 the reformation. People from the Val de Ruz came 
 daily to Neufchatel, where they became acquainted 
 with the doctrines of the reformers, and the effects of 
 this intercourse soon became apparent in several pa- 
 rishes. Encouraged by the favourable disposition of 
 the people, and relying on the protection of Berne, 
 Farel attempted to make known the word of God in 
 this place, and came thither with his faithful compa- 
 nion, Anthony Boyne. While he was preaching, a 
 priest came and performed mass. His companion 
 noticed that the people were more attentive to the 
 mass than to the sermon. Irritated at the sight, 
 when the priest was in the very act of elevating the 
 host, he tore it out of his hands, and exhibiting it to 
 the assembly, exclaimed, " This is not the God whom 
 ye ought to worship ; He is exalted in the heavens, 
 in the glory of the Father, and not in the hands of 
 the priests, as you imagine, and as they pretend." 
 Enraged at this act, the priests and their adherents 
 caused the alarm bell to be rung. Farel and Boyne 
 were fortunate enough to escape in the crowd ; but as 
 they were returning home in the evening, they were 
 assailed with sticks and stones, in a narrow pass near 
 the castle, by a mob led on by the priests. They 
 •were dragged, half dead, to the residence of the 
 countess, who seemed by no means to disapprove of 
 the outrage. The priests led Farel into the chapel, 
 and endeavoured to compel him to fall down before 
 
90 FAREl's JOUilNEYS AND SUFFERINGS. 
 
 an image of the virgin ; but he stedfastly reiused, 
 exclaiming, " Ye ought to worship the only true God, 
 in spirit and in truth, and not a dumb, lifeless, help- 
 less image." Exasperated at his firmness, they beat 
 him still more severely, so that he lost much blood, 
 of which the traces were visible six years after on the 
 walls of the chapel. At length, after continued ill 
 treatment, they cast him into prison. As soon as the 
 news of this inhuman proceeding reached Neufchatel, 
 the inhabitants hastened to his rescue. The names 
 of the aggressors were never known, but strong sus- 
 picions fell on the canons of Verlangin, who were 
 assured beforehand of the approbation of the countess, 
 and were daily guests at her table. 
 
 Undismayed by these sufferings, Farel soon after- 
 wards went to Avenche, two leagues from Murten, 
 where he was informed that there were some persons 
 disposed to hear the gospel. He met with great op- 
 position from the priests, who excited a tumult, from 
 which, however, he escaped unhu7-t. On a second 
 visit to this place, accompanied by some friends from 
 Murten, he was the bearer of a message from the 
 senate of Berne, enjoining the inhabitants to abstain 
 from persecuting the faithful preachers of the gospel, 
 or their hearers. This new attempt gave umbrage to 
 the government of Friburg; they arrested Farel's 
 companions, and threatened to punish the inhabitants 
 of Avenche if they suffered him to preach. Shortly 
 after, the bishop of Lausanne, who had been in- 
 formed of Farel's coming, openly applauded his adver- 
 
farel's journeys and sufferings. 91 
 
 j^anes, and promised " the valiant, good, and faithful 
 ('hristians and Catholics, who showed such a noble 
 i^piiit, all blessings from God in this life, and paradise 
 hereafter." To encourage their zeal, he sent a doctor 
 in tlieology, who was to instruct them in all matters 
 relating to salvation. Farel conversed with this dele- 
 gate of the bishop, who reviled him and called him a 
 heretic. Meanwhile, envovs were sent from Berne 
 to Fribnrg to complain of the uncalled-for interference 
 of the government of the latter place in the affairs of 
 Avenche, and to declare that Farel and those who 
 were desirous of hearing him were under the protec- 
 tion of the Bernese. The same envoys, also, charged 
 the people of Avenche to make good their promise 
 of allowing the word of God to be freely dispensed 
 without danger to the preacher; and threatened them, 
 in case of disobedience, with hea\7 penalties. Not- 
 withstanding this, the magistrates of Avenche pu- 
 nished all who went to Murten or elsewhere to hear 
 the gospel. 
 
 Farel returned to Murten, but in a few days came 
 back again to Avenche, in consequence of orders from 
 Berne to accompany their envoys to Orbe. In that 
 place there were a few enlightened and zealous friends 
 of the reformation, who met with violent opposition 
 from Michael Juliani, a Franciscan. On one occa- 
 sion, when this monk was reproaching those of his 
 brethren who had renounced celibacy, Christopher 
 Jlonlard interrupted him with the exclamation, 
 " Thou liest !" An uproar immediately began in the 
 
92 farel's journeys and sufferings. 
 
 church. The females present made a furious att" 
 on Honlard, pulled him by the heard, disfigured h" 
 face, and would have taken away his life, had not « 
 magistrate rescued him from their hands, and put him 
 in confinement. As soon as the news of the afFrpy 
 reached the bailiff, he hastened to the spot, liberated 
 Honlard, and imprisoned the monk. Marcus Ror lin, 
 the schoolmaster, who had apprised the bailiff of wh^t 
 was going on, was also very roughly handled by the 
 mob, who assembled in front of the castle, and would, 
 if possible, have called the governor to account for 
 his treatment of their " good father Juliani." 
 
 The evangehcal party reported a number of expres- 
 sions from the Franciscan's sermon to the authorities 
 at Berne, and messengers were sent by the opposite 
 party to Friliurg. It was agreed that the investiga- 
 tion should commence on the arrival of the envoys 
 from both parties. No sooner had P'arel entered the 
 city than he ascended the pulpit, during vespers. 
 The people crowded round him, hnt he bad scarcely 
 opened his lips when a dreadful noise and hooting 
 began, and in this chaos of sounds might be heard at 
 times the words, " Dog ! devil ! heretic ! " apphed to 
 the preacher. The serenity with which Farel conti- 
 nued his discourse only increased the fury of the 
 populace. They fell upon him with such violence 
 that, but for the interposition of the bailiff, his life 
 must have been sacrificed. Nothing daunted, he at- 
 tempted to preach in a place of pubhc resort the next 
 morning, but the people were not disposed to hsten 
 
farel's jodunevs and sufferings. 93 
 
 liim. There was a meeting of the council in the 
 rernoon, which he attended, with the envoys from 
 Hcrne and Frihurg. A mob of women waited for 
 him on his return home, attacked him with their fists, 
 :md threw him down. He was rescued from their 
 - ''i-v by Peter de Glaviesse, a respectable nobleman. 
 ' ' worthy of notice, that these assailants were led 
 hy a female of rank, Elizabeth Reif, wife of the 
 Lord of Aniay, who not long- after was converted from 
 her misguided zeal, and, together with her husband, 
 from that time ranked among the faithful professors 
 of the gospel. Nothing of consequence resulted from 
 this inquiry. Juliani admitted having used some of 
 the expressions alleged ; the rest he wholly denied, 
 or declared that they were not represented correctly. 
 After a short examination, he was dismissed, and se- 
 cured himself from further investigations by a hastj- 
 flight. 
 
 The deputies sent from Oilu to apologize for the 
 irregularities that had taken place there, met with an 
 unfavourable reception at Berne, and were enjoined 
 to allow Farel full liljerty of preaching. Tlie first 
 time, however, that he ventured to preach, under this 
 sanction, the children interrupted him, with noise and 
 clamour, in the middle of his sermon. At another 
 time, several persons drew their swords, intending to 
 ten-ify him ; but, to the astonishment of bis audience, 
 he continued his discourse unmoved. Encouraged 
 by the aiTival of a new deputation from Berne, he 
 ascended the pulpit a third time, while the congrega- 
 
94 farel's journeys and sufferings. 
 
 tion' were engaged in a procession to the church of 
 St. Germain, in the suburbs. On their return, they 
 saw, to their great surprise, the new preacher in the 
 pulpit ; the children began their usual clamour ; the 
 clergy entered the church singing; and Farel was 
 compelled to withdraw. Indeed, on every occasion 
 he was more or less annoyed by some breach of good 
 order and decorum. 
 
 The Bernese deputies now represented to the 
 council, that as the people had heard Juliani's con- 
 troversial harangue, they ought also to hear Farel's 
 refutation of it. Accordingly, Farel preached twice 
 a day, for six successive days. The first and second 
 day he had many hearers, but afterwards their num- 
 ber was limited to the few friends of the Reformation. 
 Though his visit to this place seemed at the time to 
 be almost useless, yet ultimately it proved of great 
 advantage to the cause. Here he met with Peter 
 Viret, a young man who had studied in Paris, but 
 had been compelled to leave that city on account of 
 his attachment to the evangeUcal doctrine. Con- 
 vinced as he was of the truths of the gospel, his 
 timidity prevented his appearing in pubhc as their 
 advocate, tiU Farel, after much persuasion, prevcdled 
 upon him to devote himself to the ministry. Soon 
 after Farel's departure, he preached, for the first 
 time, in his native town ; won the hearts of his pa- 
 rents ; and, by his useful labours, turned many of 
 the people from their errors. 
 
 In May, Farel returned to Neufchatel, and preached 
 
S JOURNEYS AND SUFFERINGS. 95 
 
 at St. Blaise, wliere he engaged in a warm dispute 
 with the curate, particularly respecting the mass. 
 
 magistrate who was standing by declared that 
 /arel deserv-ed to be himg. This, and other similar 
 expressions, roused the people ; they ran to arms, 
 and Farel's Ufe had nearly been sacrificed to an infu- 
 riated mob. Incensed at this treatment of their 
 reformer, the inhabitants of Neufchatel, a few days 
 after, proceeded to St. Blaise, and destroyed both the 
 images and the altar. 
 
 Farel returned to Murten, in a very debihtated 
 condition, and suffering from an expectoration of 
 blood. Here he was visited by his countryman, 
 Libertat Fabri, from Vienne, who had been studying 
 medicine at Montpelier, but left the imiversity on 
 account of a prevailing epidemic. He was on the 
 point of proceeding to Paris, to pursue his studies, 
 when he heard at Lyons of the changes God had 
 wrought, by the instrumentaHty of Farel, in Aden, 
 Murten, and Neufchatel. He resolved to become 
 more intimately acquainted with the man who had 
 accomplished such great things, and to dedicate him- 
 self to the service of the ministry, if he should be 
 thought to possess the requisite qualifications. Farel 
 at once perceived his fitness for the sacred office, and 
 confirmed the resolution he had formed ; accordingly 
 he began preaching in Murten. 
 
 As soon as Farel had recovered from the ill treat- 
 ment that he had received at St. Blaise, he was sent 
 to Granson, which was very soon the scene of fresh 
 
96 farel's joukneys and sufferings 
 
 disturbances. A Franciscan friar from Laustoji 
 preached on the festival of John the Baptist. Farel. 
 with a freedom which was certainly indecorous, 
 though not unusual in those days, interrupted the 
 preacher, and argued against his assertions ; on 
 which the mayor, who was standing near Farel, 
 abused and struck him. This was a signal for the 
 townspeople, the friars, and their neighbours, who 
 had come armed from Iverdun, to attack Farel and 
 the minister of Tavannes; they beat them, trod upon 
 them, and injured them most seriously. It seems 
 that they had been excited by a false report that r arel 
 intended to throw down the lofty crucifix which stood 
 in the gallery. Yon Wattenwyl, who had been ap- 
 pointed a commissioner by the senate of Beme, to act 
 on behalf of Farel and his associates, was informed of 
 this outrage by De Glautines, and arrived the next 
 day. He went immediately to the church of the 
 Franciscans, where a monk was preaching. "When 
 about to ascend the gallery, he was seized by two 
 monks, Grandot and Tissot. One of them endea- 
 voured to push him back ; but his servant, who was 
 making way for him, perceived that the monk had an 
 axe concealed under his cloak, which he immediately 
 wrested from him, and would have killed him, had 
 not his master interfered. A dreadful tumult now 
 arose in the church. At length tranquillity was re- 
 stored, the monk finished his discourse, and Farel 
 followed in refutation of it. By desire of Von Wat- 
 tenwyl, the two monks were arrested, and a guard 
 
farel's jourxeys and sufferings. 97 
 
 stationed at the convent, that no one might 
 escape. The monks, in their defence, alleged that 
 they did not know Von Wattenw^l, and were only 
 anxious to prevent Farel from entering the gaUerv". 
 One of them was set at liberty, on his taking a solemn 
 oath ; the other was sent away as an alien. It is 
 delightful to be able to state that, within two years 
 after this, both of them renounced the errors of 
 poperj-, and became preachers of that gospel which 
 once they had so violently opposed. 
 
 Farel met with more success in the neighbourhood 
 than in Granson itself. His discourses were so 
 favourably received at F\-n, that in a short time the 
 majority of the parishioners expressed themselves in 
 favour of the reformation, which accordingly was 
 pubhcly recognised, under Farel's superintendence. 
 
 Granson still continued in an unsettled state. 
 Some zealous but indiscreet partizans of the reform- 
 ation, having failed in legal proceedings against 
 the monks, made an attack upon the images. The 
 parties concerned, together with Farel and other 
 preachers, were arrested; but, on the repeated de- 
 mand of the Bernese government, were discharged. 
 The town, however, was not restored to good order. 
 A multitude of women, ill pleased that the friends of 
 the reformation should hold their worship in public, 
 rushed tumultuously into the church, and put an end 
 to the service. The congregation at first offered 
 resistance, but were overpowered by the infuriated 
 assailants. Farel, Grivat, and Fiomont, were the 
 
 H 
 
98 farel's journeys and sufferings. 
 
 chief objects of their outrageous attack. Farel was 
 shortly after recalled from Granson, as his residence 
 there was a source of continual altercation bet veen 
 the governments of Friburg and Berne. Weary of 
 such frequent disturbances, these two cantons entered 
 into an agreement, relative to the reformation in the 
 districts under their joint jurisdiction, on terms which, 
 on the whole, were favourable to liberty of conscience. 
 
 Farel continued with unabated zeal to oppose the 
 worship of images. On one occasion, some zealous 
 individuals from Ivonant destroyed certain altars and 
 images at Granson, in his presence, without his 
 attempting to restrain them. The senate of Berne 
 complained of his impetuosity, while he, on the other 
 hand, reproached them with lukewarmness. " There 
 are persons," he writes, " who profess a desire for the 
 establishment of Christianity, but whether they are in 
 earnest God knows ! The Bernese do not labour as 
 zealously for the doctrine of Christ as the Friburgers 
 do for popery. I do not beheve that formerly they 
 would have endured a trifling insult to the meanest 
 of their servants, in the manner they now bear the 
 reproach cast upon the gospel. Monkery and priest- 
 craft, already in a state of decay, would long ago 
 have been annihilated by , the word of God, had not 
 the government of Friburg made such exertions on 
 their behalf." 
 
 Although Farel still longed for the co-operation of 
 his friend Tossanus, yet the want of evangelical 
 preachers was partially supplied by persons who had 
 
farbl's journeys and sufferings. 99 
 
 fled from France to avoid persecution. John la 
 Compte, a young nobleman from Meaux, undertook 
 the arduous office of preacher in Granson. Out of 
 seven who were anxious to be employed in the minis- 
 try of the gospel, Farel selected the four ablest, as 
 pastors of the newly formed evangeUcal churches in 
 the baihwick of Granson. It pained him deeply that, 
 owing to his multiphed labours and sufferings, his 
 correspondence with his dearest friends was neces- 
 sarily interrupted. " Even were my father alive," 
 was his frequent apology for silence, " I coiild not 
 find time to write to him." 
 
 Zuinghus, a short time before his decease, exhorted 
 Farel "to be prudent, and not rashly to expose him- 
 self to danger, but to be careful of himself, for the 
 Lord's further service." Thankful for such an admo- 
 nition, he wrote in reply, " Take care of yourself 
 also, for far greater danger threatens you than me." 
 The warning arrived too late ; Zuinghus had already 
 fallen in the contest for the truth. 
 
 h2 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 FAREl's pastoral letter JOURNEY TO THE 
 
 WALDENSES FIRST VISIT TO GENEVA. 
 
 In the beginning of the year, Farel attended the 
 synod held at Berne, at which he met his old friend 
 Capito, to whose influence its deliberations were 
 much indebted for the spirit of gentleness and har- 
 mony by which they were distinguished. 
 
 He received at this time accounts of the sufferings 
 of the friends of the reformation in France. Finding 
 that some of them were inchned to apply to the 
 civil power for reUef, he addressed a circidar letter to 
 them, in which, after adducing the example of Abra- 
 ham, he proceeded to say, " I beseech you faith- 
 fully to follow it, and then you will experience the 
 glory and power of God. You are looked upon with 
 a suspicious eye, threatened, oppressed, and your 
 lives embittered. You are most oppressed by those 
 whose special duty it is to encourage and assist you ; 
 and those who were once your friends, have become 
 your foes ; in short, on all sides you are pressed and 
 surrounded by your enemies, like the prophet Ehsha. 
 
Jasel's pastoral letter. 101 
 
 But, my dear friends and brethren, do not be dis- 
 couraged ; say with the Psalmist, ' The Lord is our 
 help, of -whom shall we be afraid.' If all the 
 powers of earth set themselves against us, we will 
 not despair, for the Lord is with us. ' If God be 
 for us,' says the apostle, 'who can be against us?' 
 Look not at the host of the Assyrians, but at the 
 power of God, who fighteth for us. Profit by the 
 fear which has seized you; take courage, and enter 
 into that holy covenant which God has made with us 
 through his Son. Say to yourselves, How will it be 
 with us, if the Almighty King, the Lord of heaven 
 and earth, should refuse to acknowledge us; and 
 should say respecting us, ' Whoever is ashamed of 
 me before men, of him will I be ashamed before my 
 heavenly Father.' " 
 
 After admonishing them to please God rather than 
 men, and to implore him to remove every obstacle 
 out of the way of his holy gospel, he represents 
 what would be the condition of mankind, were the 
 righteous God to deal with them according to their 
 deserts ; he reminds them of the idolatry which had 
 hitherto been prevalent — of the blasphemy of a man's 
 exalting himself above God, and arrogating divine 
 honovirs — of the sacrifice of the mass, as if the re- 
 demption of Jesus Christ were not sufficient. The 
 consequences of these corruptions he represents to 
 be unbelief, separation from God, neglect of the 
 holy Scriptures, a substitution of the ordinances of 
 men for the laws of God, strife, hatred, murder. 
 
102 JOURNET TO THE WALDENSES. 
 
 unchastity; instead of the love of our neighbour, 
 the most hateful self-love meriting the righteous 
 judgment of Heaven. He again encourages thein 
 not to consider the number of their enemies, but to 
 look up to God, to place all their hopes in him, to 
 seek the blessings of eternity, and to have the truth 
 so inwrought into their souls, as to convince their 
 adversaries by the force of Scripture, justice and 
 reason. " Let none of you be ashamed of Jesus and 
 his gospel : look solely to God. Act with modera- 
 tion and kindness, mingled with firnmess and perse- 
 verance, which will conduce to the honour of God, 
 and the edification of your fellow-men." In con- 
 clusion, he exhorts them to walk in all truth and ho- 
 liness, in purity of heart, in faith, love, goodness and 
 patience, as examples of a holy and pious Ufe, pray- 
 ing to God that he would extend his glory every- 
 where, and destroy whatever is opposed to his holy 
 doctrine. 
 
 The christian courage which Farel endeavoured to 
 infuse into his brethren, he was not backward to 
 exemphfy m his own conduct. Accounts of the re- 
 formation had penetrated the valleys of the Wal- 
 denses, and one of their pastors who had visited Ger- 
 many, had brought home with him the writings of 
 the reformers. A few years after, the pastors Morel 
 and Masson, were sent on a mission to confer with 
 the reformers in Germany and Switzerland, on the 
 christian faith, fficolampadius received them as 
 brethren, and rejoiced in their faith, christian prac- 
 
JOURNEY TO THE WALDENSES. 103 
 
 tire and usages, but pointed out some particulars, 
 in which he conceived that they were in error, and 
 exhorted them to do all things for Christ's sake, 
 rather than take a part in ceremonies, which, in 
 their hearts, they abhorred. Two others of their 
 preachers, George from Calabria, and Martin Gonin, 
 visited Farel during his residence at Orbe and 
 Granson. 
 
 Morel, George, and Martin, brought back with 
 them to the valleys, in writing, the opinions and ad- 
 vice of CEcolampadius and Bucer, together with a 
 proposal to call a s\Tiod, in order to compare their 
 doctrines and form of worship with the standard of 
 the holy Scriptures. This was decided upon, and 
 Farel with Anthony Saunier, his friend and country- 
 man, who had suffered fourteen months' imprison- 
 ment in Paris for corresponding with him on reli- 
 gious subjects, were chosen by their colleagues in 
 Granson, as a deputation to attend the synod. Hav- 
 ing been strictly examined by the Waldenses, they 
 were admitted to their deliberations, at which it 
 was resolved to do away with the abuses which had 
 crept in, and to renounce altogether the use of popish 
 ceremonies. They also passed several resolutions 
 almost unanimously, on the subjects of election, 
 free will, the lawfulness of oaths, the observance of 
 the Lord's day, the marriage of the clergy, fasting, 
 auricular confession, baptism, and the Lord's supper. 
 The severe persecution which broke out the fol- 
 lowing year, prevented the complete adoption of 
 
104 farel's first visit to geneva. 
 
 the arrangements that had been approved of, by the 
 Waldenses. 
 
 During Farel's visit to the Waldenses, he noticed 
 many things that required alteration in order to pre- 
 vent the people from being led astray by false teach- 
 ers. Schools were needed, and the holy Scriptures 
 were not to be met with among them except in ma- 
 nuscript. The synod were unanimous respecting the 
 necessity of having Bibles printed and establishing 
 schools. Farel undertook to provide for the latter. 
 Immediately after his return, he sent four persons, 
 Adam, Marten, Guido, and Robert Olivetan, into the 
 valleys, to establish schools there, and to concert 
 measures for translating and printing the Bible. They 
 departed in October, and, after enduring many hard- 
 ships, arrived in the valleys, where they were well re- 
 ceived by the majority, though the influence of the 
 dissentients was perceptible. They instructed both 
 pastors and people in the holy Scriptures, and urged 
 the speedy establishment of schools. To Farel was 
 committed the important task of editing James 
 Faber's translation of the Bible. Thus, his mission to 
 the Waldenses proved of permanent benefit. 
 
 On his way home, Farel and his companions reached 
 Geneva in the beginning of October. At this time re- 
 ligious differences began to be more distinctly marked 
 in this city, and secret adherents to the reformation 
 were to be found among all ranks. The mental 
 freedom of the Genevese languished under the yoke 
 of a rich, ignorant, and corrupt clergy ; their civil 
 
farel's first visit to geneva. 
 
 105 
 
 liberties were also endangered. But the papal abso- 
 lutions had lost their value in the eyes of many, and 
 even the senate had desired the priests to preach the 
 pure gospel, instead of the fables and legends which the 
 people would no longer endure. Upon Farel's arrival 
 there, he sought out some friends of the reformation, 
 who received him gladly. He began immediately to 
 instnict them at his lodgings. His residence in the 
 city, and the numbers who thronged to hear him, 
 soon became matter of notoriety. The senate and 
 the clergy, who dreaded " the scourge of the priests," 
 as Far el was termed, put themselves in motion, and 
 met together, not knowing how to act. The first 
 thing done was, that the senate cited Farel and his 
 companions before them, charged them with exciting 
 a disturbance, and commanded them to leave the town 
 without delay. 
 
 To this, Farel replied, that he was neither a sedi- 
 tious person, nor a deceiver ; but was resolved to 
 advocate the word of God, and the truth of his doc- 
 trine, at the hazard of his life. He then laid before 
 the senate his credentials, in which the states in alli- 
 ance with Berne were requested to give him a friendly 
 reception, and listen to his doctrine. Upon this, the 
 syndics assumed a milder tone, and only requested 
 them to return to their lodgings, which they accord- 
 ingly did. 
 
 Scarcely had they arrived there, when some of the 
 principal people of the town and the clergy came, 
 and invited them to the house of the vicar-general. 
 
106 fARBIi's FIRST / SENEVA. 
 
 Aririade de Gingins, abbot oi i5onniont, whe^e utfitr> 
 of the clergy were assembled. But, under the pret^g ^ 
 of conversing with him on religious subjects, th^ mo-i 
 deadly animosity was concealed. The senate susi^ect- 
 ing their ill intentions, sent the syndics Hugue dn<^' 
 Bellard with the preachers ; they were also accompa- 
 nied by the bishop's secretary, and their friend, 
 Robert OUvetan, who resided in Geneva as a private 
 teacher. 
 
 The insults they received on the way were no favour- 
 able omen. Before they arrived at the place of 
 meeting, one of the leading niembers warned ms 
 brethren against disputing with the persons assem- 
 bled. WiUiam de Vegio, the bishop's official, first 
 examined them, and treated them with great con- 
 tempt on account of their ordinaiy and imclerical 
 appearance. When Farel spoke of a higher call than 
 any human authority which impelled him tu preach 
 the word of God, Vegio required hira to prove by 
 miracles (as Moses did before Phar.iohj that he was 
 an ambassador from God. They were then conducted 
 before the assembly, of which the assessors wore 
 weapons concealed under their dress. "Tell us," 
 said the canons, " thou vile devil, Farel, art thou 
 baptized ? Whence art thou ? Why dost thou travel 
 to and fro in all directions, to turn the world upside 
 down ? How earnest thou hither ? Who invited 
 thee to this city ? Who gave thee authority to 
 preach ? Art thou not the man who disseminated the 
 Lutheran heresy in ^Elen and Neufchatel, and troublest 
 
FABEl's i 'T TO GENEVA. 107 
 
 the peDple ? Why coinest thou here to scatter the 
 »? of heresy throughout the country ? " To these 
 , "Suiting interrogatories Farel rephed, " I have been 
 baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the 
 Holy Ghost ; and I am not a devil. I go hither and 
 thither to preach Jesus Christ, who died on the cross 
 for our sins, and was raised again for our justification. 
 Every one who believeth on him shall receive ever- 
 lasting life, but he that believeth not shall be con- 
 demned. For this purpose I have been commissioned 
 by God, our grajious Father, as an ambassador of 
 Jesus Christ ; I am bound to preach him to all who 
 are willing to 'lear ; and I have endeavoured to the 
 best of rny ability to induce every one to receive him. 
 I came here on my way home, in order to see whe- 
 ther any one vrould listen to my discourses, and am 
 ready to hold a disputation with you, and to give an 
 accojuit of my faith and preaching. For this purpose 
 I understand you have called n-^e before you. As 
 often, therefore as you please to hear me peaceably 
 I will to my latest breath maintain what I have 
 preached, and daily preach, as the pure truth and not 
 heresy, as is laid to my charge. I go forth, not in 
 the name of man, but in the name of God, who has 
 ordained me to be his servant, and not with the most 
 distant intention of exciting disturbances in this city 
 and its neighbourhood. Elijah said to King Ahab, 
 ' It is thou that troublest Israel, and not I ;' and I 
 can say in like manner. It is not I that cause such 
 commotions but you and your adherents, who would 
 
108 farel's first visit to geneva. 
 
 throw the city and the whole world into confusion by 
 human traditions and ordinances, and by your hcen- 
 tious conduct." He did not produce his credentials, 
 believing that it would only increase the prejudice 
 against him. 
 
 They gnashed their teeth while he was speaking, 
 and, under pretence of deUberating more freely, de- 
 sired him and his companions to withdraw. Scarcely 
 were they out of the room, when one of the vicar- 
 general's servants levelled a gun at Farel, but the 
 piece burst in his hands, and his intended victim re- 
 mained unhurt. Farel turned round to the assassin, 
 and coolly said, "Thy shots do not terrify me." 
 After this, sentence was pronounced upon them, that 
 they were to leave the city in three hours, under pain 
 of death, and to consider this as a special favour out 
 of regard to the senate of Berne. Farel, on hearing 
 this sentence, exclaimed, "You condemn us unheard." 
 He was not permitted to utter another word. Ber- 
 gery, one of the leading men, stood up, and in a 
 furious tone repeated the words of the Jewish high 
 priest, " He has blasphemed God, what need have we 
 of further witnesses ; he is worthy of death." A ge- 
 neral cry was now raised, "Away with him to the 
 Rhone !" Some of the canons called him a servant 
 and emissary of the prince of the devils, trod on him 
 with their feet, and struck him in the face with their 
 fists. Others exclaimed, " It is better that this Lu- 
 theran heretic should die, than that the people should 
 be seduced by him." When Farel interrupted the 
 
FAREl's first visit to GENEVA. 109 
 
 uproar by saying, " Speak the words of God rather 
 than those of Caiaphas," they cried out with increased 
 furj-, " Kill this Lutheran dog ! strike at him !" The 
 principal clergy now fell upon him, and probably 
 would have murdered him, had not William Hugue, 
 the syndic, shocked at their bad faith, reproached 
 them most severely, and threatened to restrain them 
 by means of the civil power. StiU, Farel was not out 
 of danger, for as he was retiring, some one drew a 
 dagger, and would have stabbed him if the syndic 
 had not seized his arm. 
 
 While there were not wanting those who were base 
 enough to lament the failure of these murderous 
 attempts, many even of the staunch adherents of the 
 clergy were greatly shocked that such infamous means 
 of supporting their cause should be resorted to, and 
 the syndic, Bellard, who accompanied the preachers, 
 was secretly on their side. Early on the following 
 day, their friends having been informed of a plot to 
 arrest them and send them to Savoy, accompanied 
 them across the lake a day's journey. Tliey landed 
 between Maisee and Lausanne, and avoiding those 
 towns where danger was to be apprehended, arrived 
 safely at Orbe. 
 
 Tliough Farel's unfavourable reception and expul- 
 sion discouraged his friends at Geneva, he himself 
 did not give up the hope of gaining over that city 
 to the reformed faith. Immediately after his return, 
 he persuaded the minister of Ivonant, Anthony 
 Fromont, from Dauphiny, to repair to Geneva, in 
 
110 FAREL'S return to MUJclTBN. 
 
 order , to cherish the spark which still glimiiidred 
 there. Full of pious confidence, this young minister 
 ventured to go ; he arrived at Geneva on the 3rd of 
 November, and succeeded in changing some decided 
 enemies of the reformation into its friends. 
 
 On Farel's return to Murten, he took measures for 
 the removal of his colleague, who injured rather than 
 edified the church, while he sought to ingratiate him- 
 self with the rich and powerful. 
 
 Farel was very anxious that the younger clergy 
 should be trained to act in a manner worthy of their 
 sacred calling. Many excellent young men, full of 
 zeal for the spread of the gospel, looked up to him 
 as a father, and poured their sorrows and anxieties 
 into his bosom. In order to bring into closer union 
 the brethren, who, for the most part, were strangers 
 to each other, and to consult with them on the affairs 
 of the church, he instituted a weekly meeting to be 
 held at Murten and Neufchatel alterni-.tely. From 
 these friendly conferences, synods were gradually 
 formed, which assumed the office not only of ordain- 
 ing ministers, but of appointing pastors for particular 
 churches. To this latter measure, however, the 
 senate of Berne refused to accede, deeming it an 
 intrusion on their own authority. 
 
 Amongst the persons who left France, to escape 
 persecution, were Farel's three brothers. Others of 
 his relations suffered a tedious imprisonmen*- At 
 Farel's request, the government of Berne into^ eded 
 with the king on their behalf, but received a h .ughty 
 
fahf.l's return to murten. Ill 
 
 repl\ with violent threats, that he would e? iqjate 
 lieresy from his dominions. The brothers, however, 
 were not banished from France. Gauthier, some 
 years after, resided with Count Wilham of Fiirsten- 
 berg, whose influence he hoped to employ with the 
 king on behalf of his brethren in the faith. But 
 the name of Farel was probably obnoxious at the 
 court, from his having been suspected of WTiting 
 some small treatises in the name of the king and the 
 Parisian theologians, though after attempts to dis- 
 cover the real author, no evidence was found to sub- 
 stantiate the suspicion. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 FAREL PROMOTES THE REFORMATION AT GENEVA. 
 
 Fromont's preaching cherished that interest which 
 had for some time existed in the minds of the Gene- 
 vese, relative to the doctrines of the reformation. 
 The people listened with great attention to a long 
 and severe discourse against false prophets, which he 
 delivered on New Year's-day, 1533. He was threat- 
 ened with imprisonment for continuing to speak in 
 public, contrary to the express injunction of the ma- 
 gistrates ; but his friends had hitherto prevented this 
 threat from taking effect. In general, any person 
 who taught or openly defended the evangeUcal doc- 
 trines, was banished or obliged to quit the country. 
 This fate befel, in succession, a Franciscan who had 
 commenced preaching against ecclesiastical abuses, 
 Robert Ohvetan, who had interrupted a Dominican, 
 whilst inveighing against the Lutherans from the 
 pulpit, John Guerin, a mechanic, for administering 
 the sacrament in the absence of a regular pastor, 
 and a foreigner for speaking against the mass. Tliese 
 persecutions were chiefly at the instigation of the 
 
REFORMATION AT GENEVA. 
 
 113 
 
 government of Friburg. To counteract this influence, 
 the evangelical part}' applied to the Bernese, wlio, 
 accordingly, complained to the senate of Geneva of 
 the treatment that Farel had received, notwathstand- 
 ing his letters of recommendation, but still more of 
 the unsparing persecution of those who professed 
 the refonned doctrine, and the endeavour to sup- 
 press the preaching of the gospel, but their inter- 
 ference only exasperated the hatred and bigotry of 
 the papists. The priests raised a tumult in the city, 
 and seemed as if they would totally destroy the 
 evangelical party. The Bernese sent a deputation, 
 accompanied by Farel, to warn the senate of the dan- 
 ger to which their city would be exposed by such 
 disorderly proceedings, and to demand that a monk, 
 who had impugned their authority, shoidd be brought 
 before their envoys to answer for his conduct. 
 
 The senate of Geneva was perplexed by the alter- 
 nate menaces of Berne and of Friburg, and the whole 
 city was di-vided into religious and pohtical parties. 
 The enemies of the reformation charged its doctrines 
 with being new, unheard of, and destructive of that 
 ancient edifice which so many learned men, rehgious 
 orders, and universities had erected. " Since these 
 doctrines," said they, " have been pubUshed, (with- 
 out any proof that the publishers of them are sent 
 from God,) war, pestilence, famine, discord, hatred, 
 and animosity have prevailed, whilst previously, 
 peace and prosperity, and aU that could be de- 
 sired, were enjoyed. The preachers, and not we, 
 
114 
 
 FAl OMO IE 
 
 are the false prophets, who have brought such mis- 
 fortunes upon us." 
 
 The priests made the superstitious people believe 
 that Farel and Viret fed devils at their table, under 
 the form of black cats ; that devils hung at every 
 hair of Farel' s beard, that he had no whites to his 
 eyes, and other things equally monstrous. They at- 
 tempted to support their cause by means of preach- 
 ing, and with this design sent for Guy Fuerbity, a 
 dominican and doctor of the Sorbonne. He was 
 appointed to preach in advent, not as usual in the 
 church of his own order, but in the cathedral, to 
 which he was conducted in great pomp and with an 
 armed escort. He chose for his subject the soldiers 
 dividing our Lord's garments among them, which 
 he applied to ancient and modem heretics, who 
 divided the church, Arians, Sabellians, the Wal- 
 denses, Lutherans, and the Germans. His audience 
 was a large one, chiefly of females. He attacked 
 with great vehemence, the violaters of fast-days, the 
 readers of the holy Scriptures, the despisers of the 
 pope and their protectors, and called them " mad 
 dogs, heretics, Jews, Turks," &c. He exalted him- 
 self and his brother priests above the Virgin Mary, 
 because, as he pretended, they could draw down 
 Christ from heaven, and transmute a wafer into a 
 God. 
 
 The two reformed preachers, Fromont and Alex- 
 ander, Camus (called du Montin,) happened to be in 
 the church, and after the sermon was ended, offered 
 
REFORMATION AT GENEVA. 
 
 115 
 
 to prove the fallacy of it from the holy Scriptures. 
 This occasioned a great uproar, and a general ciy was 
 raised, " Away with them to the fire !" Du Mouhn 
 was seized and sentenced to perpetual banishment, 
 under pain of death. Fromont concealed himself, 
 and was sought for in vain from house to house. 
 
 Information concerning these transactions was 
 speedily conveyed to Berne. As the senate considered 
 themselves aggrieved by the epithets Fuerbity had 
 apphed in his sermon to the friends of the reform- 
 ation, they sent two of their most respectable mem- 
 bers, Hans Francis Nageh and Ausburger, to demand 
 the arrest of the monk, and that he should answer 
 before the envoys for what he had said. Trusting tu 
 the protection of the deputies, Farel, Viret, and 
 Fromont again appeared in Geneva. Fortunatus 
 Andronicus had preceded them a few months before. 
 
 Farel arrived on the Saturday before Christmas- 
 day, and was followed by a courier from Berne with 
 letters to the syndics and the senate. The canons 
 met in a suspicious manner, and the bishop's fiscal 
 sent about to everj' house, exciting the people to 
 arm themselves in defence of the ancient faith. The 
 bishop's palace was the place of rendezvous. Many 
 of the town's people assembled, besides the clergy, 
 who were formed into a separate company. The 
 wine flowed freely, and every one promised to be at 
 his post. On Monday afternoon an armed body of 
 men marched out and took possession of the Molard. 
 Many persons were struck with astonishment at the 
 1 2 
 
116 
 
 FAREL PROMOTES THE 
 
 sight of a host of clergymen in military array against 
 one man who made his appeal not to arms, but to 
 the word of God. 
 
 As soon as the friends of the reformation were 
 apprised of this movement, they removed Farel from 
 the inn where he had taken up his abode, and placed 
 him with one of the citizens, in whom they confided; 
 they also provided themselves with arms, but only for 
 defensive use. Every one feared a sanguinary result. 
 The syndics at length succeeded in causing the party 
 that first marched out to retire. 
 
 To satisfy the envoys, the senate placed a guard 
 over Fuerbity, yet not so as to restrict him from 
 going about and ])reaching. On St. Stephen's day 
 he took leave of his auditory ; but, three days after, 
 came forward more boldly than ever, and reviled all 
 who joined what he termed the execrable new sect, 
 as the most licentious characters, robbers and mur- 
 derers, who disowned subjection to all authority, 
 human and divine, and lived like beasts. On new- 
 year's- day he once more took leave of the people, and 
 addressed them with such effect that they were all in 
 tears. He exhorted them to be firm in their opposi- 
 tion to the heretics, and concluded with expressing a 
 wish, either that God would convert them, or cause 
 his curse to light upon them. His blasphemies were 
 listened to by many with pleasure, but at last they 
 became so outrageous that the senate put him in close 
 confinement. Tlie evangelical preachers taught the 
 word of God in private houses, but were still exposed 
 
REFORMATION AT GENEVA. 
 
 117 
 
 to danger if they appeared in public. The \-icar- 
 E^eneral issued an order that no one should preach 
 without the bishop's permission, and that whoever 
 possessed a copy of the Scriptures should commit it 
 to the flames, under pain of excommunication. 
 
 Another deputation from Berae arrived in January, 
 to demand the aiTcars of the debt incurred during the 
 war, and to complain of the oppressive manner in 
 which the reformed party had been treated, with a 
 threat to dissolve the alUance, unless their terms 
 were complied with. The Genevese were perplexed 
 by similar threats from Friburg, in case Farel and his 
 associates were permitted to preach the gospel. The 
 senate, having in vain alleged that Fuerbity's affair 
 belonged to a spiritual tribunal, and finding that the 
 Bernese were on the point of returning the articles of 
 alliance, summoned the monk to appear before them. 
 The envoys and Fuerbity addressed the senate, and 
 the meeting concluded with a request fi-om the former 
 that the business should be brought before the great 
 council. At the same time, it was agreed to request 
 the bishop's vicar and court to send one or two of 
 the clergy in order to assist the monk. Tlie ecclesi- 
 astical authorities, however, refused to lend their aid, 
 and demanded Fuerbity's release. The whole city 
 was now in commotion ; some maintaining that the 
 affair belonged to the spiritual court, and others being 
 afraid of the consequences if it were not brought be- 
 fore the great council ; nor was the latter measure 
 determined upon, till a fresh deputation had laid the 
 
 v 
 
118 
 
 FAREL PROMOTES THE 
 
 articles of confederation on the table, and were on the 
 point of removing the seal. 
 
 ^^^len the council were assembled, as Fuerbity 
 found himself unsupported, he immediately made his 
 submission, and expressed his willingness to answer 
 the propositions which should be laid before him, to 
 the best of his ability'. Some of them he positively 
 denied ; others he objected to, as not being accurately 
 reported, or justified himself by appealing to the cus- 
 tomaiT mode of preaching in France ; and declared 
 that he addressed the Genevese in such terms only 
 for their good. The Bemese envoys insisted that he 
 had done them great injustice, and called upon him 
 once more to substantiate his assertions. After being 
 closely pressed to prove his opinions by a reference to 
 the Scriptures, Farel instantly exclaimed, " I thank 
 God, who has put this resolution into your heart ; 
 and entreat you to dispute with us, in aU meekness 
 and love, so that we may aim at nothing but the 
 glory of God and the edification of our neighbour." 
 " The most glorious victory," he added, " is that 
 which is gained by the truth, and I would gladly 
 sacrifice my life to ensure its universal reception." 
 
 The disputation, which began on Thursday the 
 29th January, was held in the senate house, the Ber- 
 nese envoys, the council of two hundred, and several 
 doctors of law and medicine. Fuerbity first brought 
 forward the proposition that the prelates and pastors 
 of the church have a right to enact laws and ordi- 
 nances besides those contained in the Scriptures, and 
 
REFORMATION AT GENEVA. 
 
 119 
 
 which cannot be violated without mortal sin. This 
 lie endeavoured to prove from Deuteronomy xvii. 
 >^ — 12. But Farel turned this, and some other pas- 
 sages in connexion with it, against him, and showed 
 that even Moses had prohibited additions to his laws; 
 whence he inferred, that it would be still more crimi- 
 nal to take such a liberty with the gospel, the final 
 revelation of Divine truth. Fuerbity asserted that 
 the Levitical priesthood was a ty])e of the pope. 
 Farel referred the t\-pe to Jesus, the great High 
 Priest, who, by his own offering, had done away with 
 all sacrificial and sacerdotal services, and had invited 
 even.' one to come through him to the Father. This 
 did not satisfy the monk : he maintained that the 
 church must have a supreme head, since even Christ 
 himself commanded the people to obey the Scribes 
 and Pharisees, who sat in Moses' seat ; and Paul re- 
 commended obedience to teachers, and that the tra- 
 ditions of the elders should be kept ; therefore he 
 inferred that the decrees of the pope were binding. 
 Farel allowed that the church had a head, not the 
 pope, but Jesus, the supreme Lord and Head, from 
 whom all salvation flows to the church; and obsen^ed, 
 that he recommended the people to follow the Scribes 
 only when they taught what Moses had commanded; 
 for otherwise they occupied the seat of falsehood. In 
 the same manner, only those were to be listened to, 
 in later times, who preach the pure doctrine of Jesus; 
 and the teaching of aU others shoidd be avoided as 
 much as the leaven of the Pharisees. The decrees of 
 
120 
 
 FAREL PROMOTES THE 
 
 the apostles at Jerusalem proceeded not so much 
 from themselves as from Jesus, in accordance with 
 his instructions, and the guidance of his Spirit. 
 Fuerbity then asked in what part of the gospels was 
 it stated that Jesus had forbidden the eating of blood, 
 or of meat strangled, or such as had been offered to 
 idols ? These, he asserted, were ordinances of the 
 fathers, framed under the presidency of Peter, whom 
 Jesus had declared to be head of the church, and 
 subsequently established by the authority of the pope 
 and the councils. Farel replied, that these prohibitions 
 were made in accordance with the precept of Jesus, that 
 we should not offend our brother ; and Peter himself 
 had spoken against laying new and intolerable burdens 
 on christians. He explained still further what Jesus 
 meant by the keys of the kingdom of heaven, namely, 
 the gospel, or word of God, which all possess who 
 preach the word of God in its purity. Hence, nothing 
 in favour of the pope's supremacy is to be found in the 
 Scriptures. No man, however holy he may be, ought 
 to be listened to, excepting when he preaches accord- 
 ing to Divine truth. Should he teach dreams, like 
 the false prophets, no one ought to hsten to him, for 
 he is not sent from God. To support the authority • 
 of tradition, Fuerbity instanced the change of the 
 Sabbath, which was transferred to Sunday, in com- 
 memoration of the resurrection. To this Farel re- 
 plied, that the festivals also were a Divine arrange- 
 ment, although every day was holy, and ought to be 
 so regarded ; and it would be contrary to the law of 
 
REFORMATION AT GENEVA. 
 
 121 
 
 love for one indi\-idual to separate himself from the 
 rest, and celebrate another day. 
 
 The greater part of the day was spent in this dis- 
 putation. 
 
 The next day the disputation was renewed. Farel 
 alluded to his observations on the preceding day, and 
 showed that the Sunday was introduced according to 
 the Divine command, but in true liberty of the spirit, 
 without any superstitious notions. Fuerbity objected, 
 that if only that which Jesus had commanded ought 
 to be obser\'ed, he would not have said to the apos- 
 tles, " I have still many things to say to you." 
 " These words," replied Farel, " do not at all prove 
 that Jesus authorised the apostles to make new or- 
 dinances or laws ; on the contrarj', he enjoined 
 them to teach what they had heard from him. The 
 commandments of Jesus are alone to be kept, and 
 not those of ecclesiastical dignitaries, of whom no 
 mention is made in Scripture, and through whom the 
 corruption and even the annihilation of genuine 
 Christianity has been eflected. The monk, in amaze- 
 ment, now inquired, whether Farel wished to do 
 away with the chm-ch, the pope, and the coimcils, 
 whose authority he deduced fi-om the apostles and 
 from the assemblies at Nice, Antioch, and Constan- 
 tinople, in which heretics were overcome by the word 
 of God. Attacks upon the church might, indeed, be 
 expected at a time when so many prelates neglected 
 their duties, and shunned the labours of the minis- 
 terial office. Farel now pointed out the difference 
 
122 
 
 FAREL PROMOTES THE 
 
 between what assumed the title of the church, whose 
 final argument was the executioner and the apostohc 
 church, of which not a vestige was to be found in 
 the Romish communion. " It was not so formerly," 
 said he, " and ought not to be so now; but you 
 arbitrarily subject princes to yourselves, instead of 
 being subject to them. Nothing is more evidently 
 without the sanction of the Holy Spirit, than your 
 various offices, benefices, dignities, and orders, of 
 which the pope has a greater number than any mo- 
 narch from the beginning of the world. The popish 
 domination surpasses every other in its pride, pomp, 
 and luxury. Such dignities and privileges have not 
 been introduced by the meek, gentle, and gracious 
 Spirit of Christ, but by the spirit of antichrist." 
 
 Farel then proceeds to describe more minutely the 
 teachers of the primitive church, and as Fuerbitj- 
 himself had referred to 1 Tim. iii. 2, he proved that 
 by celibacy the word of God was set aside, and 
 that the Romish church, deeply infected as it was 
 with impurity and corruption, could not be under the 
 guidance of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 The election of new syndics and some holidays 
 that intervened, besides other occurrences, delayed 
 the continuation of the discussion. When it was 
 resumed, the Bernese deputies thought that enough 
 had been said on that subject, and called upon the 
 monk to speak on the prohibition against eating 
 flesh. He at once acknowledged that he could not 
 prove this point from Scripture. " This is keeping 
 
REFORMATION AT GENEVA. 
 
 123 
 
 vour promise admirably," said Farel, " that you 
 would maintain before all the world, from Scripture, 
 what you have been preaching, to your latest breath." 
 'I'hough the monk humbly apologized, the deputies 
 would not be satisfied with any thing short of a 
 public recantation in the cathedral, and required 
 that after that he should sufi'er banishment. But 
 no sooner had he ascended the pulpit, than instead 
 i)f uttering a recantation, he began to complain of 
 injustice. He was again iirged to recant, and on his 
 refusal, the people assaulted him, and he would in 
 all probability have lost his life, had not the Ber- 
 nese deputies interfered. He was then led to prison, 
 but after all would neither retract nor dispute any 
 more. On TMiitsunday the sjTidics laid before him 
 certain propositions, and in the afternoon he was 
 visited by Viret, Farel, and Dr. Caroli, who had been 
 his divinity tutor. As soon as he saw the latter, 
 and heard of his having left the Romish church, 
 he almost fainted. They laboured for two hours to 
 make an impression on his mind, but in vain. Two 
 years elapsed before he obtained his hberty. 
 
 At the commencement of Lent, the provincial of 
 the Franciscans sent Francis CouteUer, a member of 
 that order, to edify the people during that season. 
 The friar laid before the senate the subjects on 
 which he intended to preach. He was enjoined to 
 pubhsh the pure gospel, and that he should not 
 allude to the adoration of the Virgin, the invocation 
 of saints, purgator)% and prayers for the dead. He 
 
124 
 
 FAREL PROMOTES THE 
 
 promised faithfully to comply, but, though less violent 
 than Fuerbity, did not abide by the prescribed re- 
 gTilations. The deputies who attended his sermons, 
 desired that one of their ministers might be permit- 
 ted to preach, promising that he should not attack 
 the mass, nor image worship, nor any other pecuhar 
 tenet of popery. Besides other reasons for granting 
 this, they represented how injurious it was to the 
 christian doctrine and to their own reputation, to 
 have it generally understood, that they dared not 
 appear in the churches, but propagated their doc- 
 trines in holes and comers ; for hitherto they had 
 met for worship only at the inn. But, through fear 
 of the government of Friburg, and of the bishop and 
 clergy, this request was not granted, the senate pre- 
 tending that ecclesiastical alfairs did not fall within 
 their province. 
 
 A few hours afterwards, a number of the citizens 
 conducted Farel into a hall belonging to the Fran- 
 ciscans, and the bell was rung to announce the 
 preaching of the word of God. It was the first 
 evangelical discourse which had been deUvered in 
 Geneva without interruption. Every one was asto- 
 nished. The Bernese envoys declared that they had 
 no hand in it, but were struck with wonder at the 
 marks it bore of the Divine interposition. Their 
 opponents expressed great dissatisfaction. They 
 inquired who had given Farel permission to preach, 
 and earnestly requested that he might not be so 
 favoured again. To pacify them, the senate desired 
 
REFORMATION AT GENEVA. 
 
 125 
 
 the Bernese deputies to take back the preachers 
 when they returned; this, however, they declined 
 doing, and shortly after left the citv'. 
 
 The senate now attempted to hinder Farel from 
 preaching ; but neither he nor his friends were in- 
 clined to retrace their steps. On the contran,', he 
 warmly attacked the Lent preacher in his discourses, 
 and accused him to the senate of manifold errors, 
 and of seeking to injure the Bernese. The senate 
 demanded a copy of the charges in writing, and to 
 moderate Farel's warmth, promised that they would 
 not permit the honour of God or the character of 
 their allies to be insulted with impunity. At the 
 same time they begged him to bear in mind the 
 critical state of the city. 
 
 The government of Friburg, dreading Farel's great 
 influence and perseverance, reproached the Genevese 
 most violently for tolerating his public labours. It 
 was in vain that the senate pleaded the remon- 
 strances they were constantly receiving from Berne, 
 and the dangerous state of their aflairs. Tlie Fri- 
 burgers were not to be so appeased, and annulled 
 their alliance with Geneva. 
 
 This event hastened the reformation, and consider- 
 ably increased the influence of Berne. At Whitsun- 
 tide Farel administered the Lord's supper to a large 
 number of communicants. A priest entered the 
 assembly in full dress, threw ofi^ his robes before the 
 table of the Lord, and to the astonishment of all pre- 
 sent avowed himself a friend to the gospel. 
 
126 
 
 FAREL PROMOTES THE 
 
 The newly collected congregation now worshipped 
 in the same church as the Franciscans. Farel and his 
 fellow labourers conducted the worship, and adminis- 
 tered the sacraments. 
 
 The increase of the evangelical party, and the im- 
 petuous zeal of some of its members, roused the par- 
 tizans of the church of Rome to fresh efforts. A plan 
 was formed and approved by the bishop and other 
 ecclesiastics, to suqjrise the city by night, expel the 
 civil authorities, and extirpate the Lutheran heresy. 
 By what means this plot was frustrated is not known. 
 Recourse was next had to spiritual weapons. The 
 pope and the bishop pronounced sentence of excom- 
 munication against the city and its allies. The Ge- 
 nevese in consequence broke off their connexion with 
 the bishop, and a state of insecurity ensued in which 
 constant watchfulness was necessary to protect them 
 both from internal and external foes. 
 
 In March, 1535*, a servant girl was suborned by 
 some cathoUc priests to take off the protestant minis- 
 ters, by mixing poison with their food. Farel, from 
 illness, or some other cause, happened not to dine 
 that day. Fromont dined elsewhere, so that only 
 Viret partook of the soup. He felt immediately the 
 effects of the poison, and though his life was saved, 
 his health never entirely recovered from the shock it 
 had received. The servant, on being charged with 
 the crime, attempted to implicate several ecclesiastics, 
 
 • V. Archives du Cliristianisme, Mai, 1827. p. 205. 
 
REFORMATION AT GENEVA. 
 
 127 
 
 but as no sufficient evidence appeared to support the 
 charge, she alone was condemned to death on the 
 14th of April. This, and another still more atrocious 
 attempt to poison the bread and wine at the Lord's 
 supper, excited general hatred against the priests. 
 After happily escaping these dangers, the preachers 
 were appointed to reside •with the Franciscans, who 
 gradually became more friendly, and, by daily inter- 
 course, some of them were gained over to the re- 
 formed faith. Of these, the principal were the 
 guardian, and James Bernard, whose brother Claudius 
 was Farel's host. Another brother also, Le\^^s, who 
 held an office in the cathedral, declared himself in 
 favoiu- of the reformation. 
 
 Bernard, the Franciscan, had been a zealous de- 
 fender of popen,-, and had held many a warm debate 
 with Farel on various pointsof doctrine ; becoming 
 more thoughtful, he compared the disputed doctrines 
 with Scripture, and gradually arrived at the convic- 
 tion, that the evangeUcal method was the sure way of 
 salvation, and determined to abandon his own. Farel 
 pointed out to him, how Httle would be gained by this 
 step if he did not, for his own justification and the 
 good of others, publicly state the reasons of his con- 
 duct, and ofi'er to answer the arguments of opponents. 
 The Franciscan followed this advice, and thus Farel 
 obtained what he had long wished for in vain, — a 
 pubUc disputation with the general consent of the 
 papists, to which the friars of Bernard's order, who 
 were then holding an assembly at Grenoble, were 
 invited. 
 
128 
 
 FAREL PROMOTES THE 
 
 Eight commissioners were chosen from each side 
 to conduct the discussion. Owing to an interdict 
 from the bishop and the duke of Savoy, not many 
 men of learning were present. It was carried on for 
 nearly four weeks. The subjects discussed were, re- 
 demption, good works, the mass, the church, the 
 worship of images, tradition, free will, and the pro- 
 tection of the saints. Farel, Viret, and Fromont 
 took turns with Bernard in defending the propositions. 
 One of the opponents was Peter Caroh, a doctor of 
 the Sorbonne, who had lately arrived at Geneva. 
 From the first he gave indications of instability of 
 character. Impelled by vanity, he was anxious to be 
 chosen president; but Farel frustrated his wishes. 
 Though he approved of the propositions against the 
 mass, yet, under the pretext of duly considering the 
 subject, he defended it with all the arguments adduced 
 by the Romish church. Some of the papists were so 
 delighted with his advocacy of their cause, that they 
 spoke in praise of him to the canons, who gave him 
 wine, and urged him to further efforts ; but having 
 been completely refuted by Viret, he was reduced to 
 such straits that he could only utter some vulgar ex- 
 clamation of contempt. 
 
 This disputation appears to have had a very im- 
 portant and salutary influence ; in consequence of the 
 instruction derived from it, several priests and many 
 of the laity joined the evangehcal party. As soon 
 as it was ended, Claudius Bernard, with many of the 
 inhabitants, demanded the public acknowledgment of 
 
REFORMATION AT GENEVA. 
 
 129 
 
 the reformation ; but the senate withheld their assent 
 from this measure, for fear of greater disturbances. 
 
 While the disputation lasted, Farel and his friends 
 preached in the church of St. Germain, a parish 
 where most of the inhabitants favoured their views. 
 On his complying with a request to preach in the 
 Magdalen church, the priest, who was performing 
 mass when he entered, hastily retired. The vicar 
 complained of this unexpected visit, and the senate 
 ordered Farel to confine his preaching to the church 
 of the Franciscans and St. Germain. A few days 
 after, however, he appeared in the church of St. Ger- 
 vais. When brought before the senate to answer for 
 his disobedience, having first respectfully Hstened to 
 their admonitions, he replied, " that the reformation 
 was a work of Divine Providence, and its completion 
 could not be delayed without opposing the will of 
 God, and that almost the w-hole city had declared in 
 it5 favour." " Issue righteous commands," said he 
 in a firm tone, " if you wish that the servants of God 
 should render you willing obedience. Since the ap- 
 pearance of evangelical light in your city, thecon\4c- 
 tion must have been forced upon vou, that every 
 thing which has not the sanction of the holy Scrip- 
 tures must be separated from rehgion. Give God 
 the glor\-, and, as christian magistrates, aid the vic- 
 tory of truth over error and falsehood ; especially 
 when you behold some of the most zealous defenders 
 of i)opery compelled to acknowledge the truth of our 
 religion, and do homage to it by their conversion." 
 
 K 
 
130 
 
 FAREL PROMOTES THE 
 
 In conclusion, he besought the senate to assemble the 
 council of two hundred, and to allow him to appear 
 before them. 
 
 Though the senate still refused to withdraw their 
 prohibition, Farel and his fellow-labourers thought 
 that "they ought to obey God rather than man." 
 In one day they preached both in the Magdalen and 
 Dominican church. The following Sunday, while the 
 bell was ringing to assemble the congregation of 
 the church of the Franciscans, a great multitude 
 who were assembled at the cathedral, sent for Farel. 
 Accordingly, he preached there, and defended his 
 conduct as on former occasions, and again desired to 
 be heard in the presence of the great council. 
 
 The people, with their leaders, having, in some 
 measure, taken the work of reformation into their 
 own hands, and greater commotions being appre- 
 hended, the senate at last assembled the council of 
 two hundred. Farel, Viret, James Bernard, together 
 with several other Franciscans and citizens, appeared 
 before it. Farel began in a firm but moderate tone, 
 and, in a strain of natural eloquence, stimulated by 
 the importance of his cause, made some observ- 
 ations on the late disputation. In reference to the 
 leading topics, the mass, and image worship, he 
 pointed out what strong evidence had been adduced 
 that these practices were not founded on Scripture : 
 he remarked that most of the priests shunned the 
 disputation ; that those who ventured to advocate 
 popery had been unable to defend their dogmas, and 
 
REFORMATION AT GENKVA. 
 
 131 
 
 that several of them had acknowleged that they were 
 vanquished, and had adopted the reformed faith. 
 He declared that neither he nor his colleagues wished 
 those priests to be punished who could not receive his 
 doctrine, but prayed fervently for their conversion. 
 Impressed with the subhmity and sanctity of the 
 christian doctrine, purified from all superstition, he 
 declared on behalf of himself and his brethren, " We 
 are ready to seal the truth of the religion we preach 
 with our blood. The most horrible death shall not 
 deter us from maintaining this sacred cause." He 
 called upon the council to declare themselves either 
 for or against the doctrine he had preached, and con- 
 cluded his address with a pathetic and fervent prayer 
 that they might receive illumination from above, in a 
 matter which involved the honour of God and the sal- 
 vation of a whole people. 
 
 All present were deeply affected, and the subject 
 was discussed in an earnest but peaceable and dig- 
 nified manner. The majority decided on calling 
 together the Romish clerg}% to inform them of the 
 result of the disputation, and to inquire whether they 
 had any other arguments to bring forward in favour 
 of their tenets. The monks confessed their ignorance, 
 but the higher ecclesiastics answered in a tone of 
 defiance, that they cared neither for the disputation 
 nor for Farel, and would adhere to their ancient 
 practices. 
 
 On that day much was done to Uberate the 
 Genevese fi'om their spiritual chains. The mass was 
 K 2 
 
132 THK REFORMATION AT GENEVA. 
 
 forbidden to be celebrated, and soon after an edict 
 was published, which established the Reformation, 
 and abrogated Popery. Instead of the former sump- 
 tuous ritual, a simple form of worship was introduced. 
 Those who still clung to their fetters and the ancient 
 faith left the country. 
 
 The senate of Berne heard with joy of Farel's 
 success, and exhorted their confederates, who were 
 now favoured wdth the light of truth, to hve for the 
 future in christian and brotherly union, for then they 
 might feel confident that the Lord would not forsake 
 them in the gi'eatest dangers. To the latest period 
 of his life, Farel praised the Divine Providence which 
 had so wonderfully preserved the little flock in 
 Geneva, though attacked by wolves within, and sur- 
 rounded by foes without. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 farel confirms thf, reformation at geneva 
 
 Calvin's arrival — disputation at lausanne. 
 
 The Genevese were resolved to purchase, at any rate, 
 civil and religious liberty ; and after many an arduous 
 conflict, their efforts were crowned with success. 
 Farel called upon the great council to express their 
 gratitude for the manifold interposition of Divine 
 Providence. Both in public and in private he ex- 
 horted them all to unanimity, self-denial, and for- 
 giveness of injuries, and aided the senate to the 
 utmost in their efforts to suppress discord. Not 
 satisfied with a general oath of reconciliation, he ob- 
 tained a declaration on the part of the whole body of 
 citizens, of their adherence to the refonned faith, and 
 utter renunciation of the Romish church. 
 
 His proposals for the improvement of the schools 
 were readily agreed to. He considered the young 
 as an important part of the church, and was very 
 anxious to prevent their falling again into the hands 
 of the monks. A daily service in the churches was 
 now appointed, a becoming observance of the Lord's 
 
134 
 
 FAREL CONFIRMS THE 
 
 day was established, and the ordinances of reUgion 
 were attended to with the utmost simpUcity. In the 
 communion, Farel made use of common bread ; he 
 enjoined modest attire (particularly in the head- 
 dresses) on those who were about to enter the mar- 
 riage state, and caused the laws framed against licen- 
 tiousness to be strictly enforced. The first communion, 
 on Easter- day, was solemn and numerously attended ; 
 a proof that the friends of the reformation conti- 
 nued to increase daily. 
 
 In order to extend the reformation throughout 
 the country, the senate sent for the village priests. 
 In the presence of Farel and Francis Bonivard, they 
 were informed that they must either prove the truth 
 of popery from the holy Scriptures, or renounce it. 
 The senior answered in the name of the rest, " Send 
 teachers to instruct us on the points in which we 
 may have erred, and if we are convinced of it, we 
 will obey you." Farel thought he perceived a spirit 
 of resistance in this reply, and asked, " Do you wish 
 to oppose the word of God?" Bonivard judged more 
 charitably and more correctly, and was of opinion 
 that there would be less probability of their beipg 
 trustworthy, if they too easily forsook then- ancient 
 faith. 
 
 The want of suitable fellow-labourers was painfully 
 felt by Farel. He found few who were duly qualified 
 or sufficiently courageous. The immoral or conceited, 
 or those who abandoned the exterior of their ancient 
 priestly order, without renouncing its spirit, were ob- 
 
REFORMATION AT GENEVA. 
 
 135 
 
 jects of his decided aversion. Not being entirelv sa- 
 tisfied with Reti, his coUeague at Geneva, he sought to 
 procure the assistance of Viret and Fabri, who had 
 returned from Neufchatel. A special messenger was 
 despatched to solicit the consent of the synod ; it 
 was obtained, and Fabri, after incurring imminent 
 danger, arrived at Geneva. Viret was induced, by 
 the solicitations of the officers of a Lausanne regi- 
 ment, to stay and preach tlie gospel in that place. 
 Fabri, after assisting Farel for a short time, removed 
 to Thonon. Neither the war nor a change of masters 
 prevented the monks in the last named place fi-om 
 indulging in the amusements of Lent. They acted 
 the character of Farel in a farce got up by them for 
 the occasion. The abbot Michael, of the ancient 
 house of Blonay, personated the reformer. The 
 secular priests, indignant that such a heretic should 
 be brought on the stage, proposed to bum the author 
 of the comedy in effigy. Upon this, the abbot went 
 to Geneva, related the occurrence to Farel, and re- 
 quested him to come to Thonon, and preach there. 
 His visit was attended with danger, and proved of 
 little use. He met with unexpected opposition from 
 all classes. He recommended his young friend Fabri 
 to exercise the greatest mildness in the prosecution 
 of his work, and exhorted him not to be discouraged 
 by any difficulties, however foi-midable. He ad\-ised 
 Rudolf Nageh, the bailifi^, to keep a strict eye upon 
 the priests, and the magistrates to do their duty, and 
 not to tolerate poper}-, either pubhcly or privately. 
 
136 calvin's arrival. 
 
 Unexpectedly, Farel obtained an assistant, who 
 alone was equivalent to many labourers. There 
 arrived in Geneva, intending only to pass the night 
 there, a young preacher, who had already acquired 
 the reputation of a learned man, and a friend to the 
 evangelical doctrines ; this was no other than John 
 Calvin. His intention was to proceed to Basle and 
 Strasburg, for the purpose of devoting himself to 
 study with his friends there. Farel, perceivmg his 
 great talents, and aware that such a man would be 
 invaluable in Geneva, solicited him to remain and 
 assist him in preaching. After many fruitless en- 
 treaties, he solemnly conjured him, and said, " You 
 have no other ground for refusing my request than 
 your love for study ; but I tell you, in the name of 
 Almighty God, that if you do not join me in the 
 work of the ministry, God wiU punish you for pre- 
 ferring your own pleasure to the Lord's sers'ice." 
 Overjiowered by this appeal, and feeling as if seized 
 by the Divine hand, Calvin could no longer refuse, 
 and fixed his residence in Geneva as a teacher of 
 theology and preacher. 
 
 Farel also met with an assistant in Corault, an 
 Augustine, who came at Calvin's solicitation from 
 Basle, whither he had fled for safety, from perse- 
 cution. He had been distinguished at Paris for his 
 pulpit eloquence, and though afflicted with bodily 
 blindness, had been the instrument of spiritual illu- 
 mination to many. 
 
 Much about the same time Farel's two brothers 
 
DISPUTATION AT LAUSANNE. 
 
 137 
 
 settled in the canton of Berne, that they might he 
 able to profess the reformed faith without molest- 
 ation. 
 
 Fabri had many a hard struggle to endure at 
 Thonon. A Franciscan stranger preached there, at 
 the request of the Romish clerg)', and pretended 
 that he would defend his statements at the hazard of 
 his life. Fabri proposed a public disputation, but 
 when the monk saw that he was in earnest, he left the 
 place with a promise that he would come again ; but 
 he never returne l. Farel employed his influence with 
 the senate of Berne, to appoint a public disputation, 
 and, at last, it was fixed that one should be held at 
 Lausanne on the 1st of October. The elders of the 
 church were invited, and all the clerg\'. Nothing 
 could show more strongly the necessity of instruct- 
 ing the common people than the ignorance of their 
 teachers, for Farel could scarcely find one priest in 
 the country who could recite the ten commandments 
 perfectly ; and on many occasions opposition was ex- 
 cited, merely by his repeating the Lord's Prayer, and 
 the twelve articles of the Christian Faith, in the 
 vernacular tongue. 
 
 Farel drew up ten propositions, which were to be 
 the subjects of debate at the disputation ; they were 
 as follow : — 1 . The Scripture knows no other jus- 
 tification than that by faith in Christ, ofliered once 
 for all. \\Tioever seeks the forgiveness of sins by 
 any other way, offering, or purification, virtually 
 denies the efficacy of this offering. 
 
138 DISPUTATION AT LAUSANNE. 
 
 2. The church acknowledges no other High Priest, 
 Lord, Mediator, or Head of the church, than Him 
 who is risen from the dead, and exalted to the right 
 hand of the Father. 
 
 3. There is no other church of God than that 
 which receives its redemption alone through the 
 death of the Lord ; believes alone in his word, and 
 relies stedfastly upon it ; knowing that since his 
 ascension, he fiUs, preserves, governs, and animates 
 all by the power of his Spirit. 
 
 4. This church, the only one acknowledged by 
 God, makes use of the ordinances appointed by 
 Christ, baptism and the Lord's supper, as the symbols 
 or signs of invisible things of Divine grace. 
 
 5. It acknowledges no other ministers than those 
 who administer the word and these sacred ordi- 
 nances. 
 
 6. It acknowledges no other confession or absolu- 
 tion than that which is made to God, and received 
 from Him who alone can forgive sins. 
 
 7. It adopts no other form of worship than that 
 which is according to the word of God, and founded 
 on the love of God and our neighbour; hence it 
 rejects innumerable ceremonies, images, &c., which 
 deform reUgion. 
 
 8. It acknowledges only a civil magistrate, ap- 
 pointed by God, necessary for the peace of the coun- 
 try, and to whom all are bound to be obedient, as far 
 as his commands are not contrary to the will of 
 God. 
 
DISPUTATION AT LAUSANNE. 
 
 139 
 
 9. This church also teaches that marriage is or- 
 dained by God for all men, and is not opposed to 
 the sanctity of any order or rank in hfe. 
 
 10. As it respects what are called indifferent 
 things, such as meats, drinks, and holidays, the 
 christian is at liberty to observe them according to 
 the rules of prudence and charit\'. 
 
 Neither the prohibition of the emperor, nor the 
 apprehensions and entreaties of the clergy and other 
 inhabitants of Lausanne, and other parishes in the 
 Pays de ^'aud, could alter the resolution of the senate 
 of Berne. The disputation was held in the cathedral 
 church, contrary to the will of the canons, who, 
 being unable to prevent this supposed desecration 
 of the edifice, removed a highly venerated image of 
 the Vu-gin Mary and those of the saints to a place of 
 security. 
 
 Before the arrival of the deputation from Berne, 
 Farel addressed the assembly, and endeavoured to 
 prepare them for a right consideration of the sub- 
 jects of debate. He advised all present to pray that 
 God would enlighten them, and grant the victon,' to 
 the truth ; to hsten to both sides dispassionately, 
 and carefully to examine the arguments. He ex- 
 horted the priests, also, as well as the preachers, to 
 pay a supreme regard to Jesus Christ, to be anxious, 
 not for their ovm reputation, but for the welfare of 
 their flocks. He aimed, by the most cogent argu- 
 ments, to induce aU who heard him to exert them- 
 selves for the glor)- of God and the salvation of 
 
140 DISPUTATION AT LAUSANNE. 
 
 souls ; and depicted in vivid colours the inevitable 
 misery of those who neglect the Saviour. After ad- 
 vising them to a temperate use of christian liberty, 
 and expressing his devout wishes for peace and 
 unanimity, he urged them to seek out and console 
 the poor and afflicted, to minister to their necessities, 
 both spiritual and temporal, and (alluding to the 
 popish doctrine) to make their pilgrimages to such 
 saints, as being the true images of God. 
 
 The next day Von Wattenwyll, the senior bailiff, 
 and the other deputies arrived. The president and 
 secretaries having been chosen, Farel opened the 
 meeting, and was followed by the bailiff, who stated 
 to the persons present the object of the disputation ; 
 namely, to allay the disturbances which had arisen in 
 the country on account of religion. He administered 
 an oath to the presidents, that they would hear both 
 sides with impartiality, appease all strife, and allow 
 the final appeal to be made to the Scriptures alone. 
 
 The two parties stood opposite each other. On 
 the one side, Farel, Viret, Calvin, Caroh, Fabri, 
 Marcourt, and le Comte ; and on the other, the 
 clergy of the cathedral, the Dominicans and Fran- 
 ciscans of Lausanne, the Augustines of Thonon, and 
 the whole priesthood of the conquered districts. 
 Farel and Viret took the most prominent part in the 
 disputation. Calvin spoke but little, yet much to 
 the purpose. Their principal opponent was Claude 
 Blanchrose, a Frenchman, one of the king's phy- 
 sicians, who had settled in Lausanne. 
 
DISPUTATION AT LAUSANNE. 
 
 141 
 
 Farel read the first proposition, with scriptural 
 proofs and elucidations. When the opposite party 
 were called upon to reply, the canons of Lausanne 
 entered a tedious protest against the disputation, 
 which they supported chiefly on the ground that the 
 Scriptures recommend peace, whereas a disputation 
 only engendered strife ; that any particular church 
 was subject to error ; and, in short, that they were 
 not at liberty to dispute, but must wait for a general 
 council. 
 
 Farel answered these objections by arguments 
 drawn from the Scriptures, (which they misquoted,) 
 and from the fathers of the church, who (as he stated) 
 were always ready to dispute with heretics ; he also 
 animadverted on the references they made to general 
 councUs. He furnished the canons with a copy of his 
 reply, which was followed on their part by a second 
 and third protest. A tedious dispute now arose upon 
 faith and good works. Farel explained, that faith 
 in Christ is not an empty, inoperative notion, which 
 permits the soul to remain in bondage to sin ; but 
 an active principle, productive of good works. The 
 question was agitated, whether good works precede 
 or foUow justification. The papists maintained the 
 former, and represented the opposite opinion to be of 
 a hcentious tendency. Farel, on the part of the re- 
 fomiers, asserted, that so far from denying the neces- 
 sity of good works, they diligently inculcated them, 
 but at the same time pointed out faith as their 
 genuine source. " After having impressed a man," 
 
142 
 
 DISPUTATION AT LAUSANNE. 
 
 said he, " with a sense of his sinfulness, we then 
 say, ' God willeth not thy destruction, but thy salva- 
 tion.' He has given up his weU-beloved Son to 
 death for us, and therefore if thou from the heart 
 dost believe that he has suffered for thee, and pray 
 to God for pardon in his name, and forsake sin, he 
 will forgive thee. Such a doctrine can never lead to 
 evil, or ingratitude ; on the contrary, it will inflame 
 the heart with the love of God and our neighbour, 
 and bring forth \asible fruits in the outward life." 
 Then, turning to the clergy of Lausanne, he animad- 
 verted pointedly on the Uves of these strenuous de- 
 fenders of good works, and showed that what they 
 termed good works were mostly pilgrimages, masses, 
 or absolutions. 
 
 The second proposition was brought forward by 
 Viret, and as no one offered to oppose it, Farel ex- 
 plained at large those errors of the Romish church 
 against which it was directed. 
 
 After Viret had defended the third proposition, 
 Farel exposed the groundlessness of the doctrine of 
 transubstantiation, and the great uncertainty, even to 
 believers in it, whether the transmutation, on any 
 given occasion, has been effected, since so much is 
 made to depend on the ordination and intention of 
 the priest, and the regular consecration of the wafer. 
 In a lively and eloquent manner he pointed out the 
 e\'ils arising from the mass ; he exhorted the priests 
 to study the Scriptures, and urged them to follow 
 the example of St. Paul, who, after his conversion. 
 
DISPUTATION AT LAUSANNE. 
 
 143 
 
 devoted his life to establish that faith which he once 
 laboured to destroy. In reply to Mimard, a school- 
 master, who attempted to argue in favour of tran- 
 substantiation, from the incomprehensibility of Divine 
 mysteries, Farel said, " I do not wonder that it 
 seems unfathomable to you, for it surpasses sense 
 and reason, that a body should be, and not be, at the 
 same time. You have been led into this absurdity 
 by the spirit of Marcion, who attributed to Jesus the 
 mere appearance of a body, and not by the Spirit of 
 God." The reproach of arrogance, cast by Mimard 
 on the reformed ministers, Farel threw back on the 
 teachers of the Romish church, who, without the war- 
 rant of Scripture, under the pretext of Divine com- 
 munications, had introduced a multitude of dogmas 
 and observances, had invented purgatory, fixed the 
 time and mode of penance for every sin, and elevated 
 a poor sinner to be head of the church and a god 
 upon earth. To the question, " Who are you, that 
 you should pretend to be wiser than the fathers and 
 the church?" He replied, "We are poor sinners, 
 who beheve that we have received forgiveness of sin 
 and salvation through Christ. We desire to Hve by 
 the aid of his grace, according to his word, and 
 long to induce others to do the same, being ready to 
 lay down our lives for his gospel. But who are you, 
 who have other objects of worship besides God ? 
 Poor wretches who kneel before lifeless images 
 without sense or feeling — servants of the Romish 
 
144 DISPUTATION AT LAUSANNE. 
 
 whore, who has seduced the world, and made its 
 princes drunk with the wine of her fornication. The 
 reproach which you cast upon us, that we stone you, 
 falls upon your priests and their adherents. They are 
 audacious enough not only to stone us, (as I have 
 often experienced myself, and pray God to foi-give 
 them, as I do from the heart,) but where they have 
 opportunity, to prepare fire and torture for those 
 who do not act according to their pleasure. We 
 are anxious for your salvation, that every one of you 
 may know, trust, serve, and honour Jesus, and not 
 do homage to a mere wafer, along with the holy 
 rat which swallowed it, and which you have pre- 
 served here as a choice relic." Farel then recounted 
 the manifold abuses of the Romish church, and asked 
 in what gospel they were to be found. 
 
 The argument was next taken up by Calvin, who 
 explained so clearly their reasons for rejecting tran- 
 substantiation, and the real benefits attached to the 
 Lord's supper, that the opposite party said not a word 
 in reply ; and Tandi, a Franciscan, confessed before 
 the whole assembly, that he was overcome by the 
 power of truth, and that henceforth he would believe 
 the pure gospel, and regulate his life by it. 
 
 Viret defended the fourth proposition ; the fifth, 
 sixth, and seventh also, passed without any opposi- 
 tion. In reference to the eighth, Blanchrose, who 
 had already complained of being deserted by the 
 priests, repeated a variety of strange notions which 
 
DISPUTATION AT LAUSANNE. 
 
 145 
 
 he had before broached respecting the Trinity, a 
 doctrine to which he pretended to find analogies in all 
 the sciences. 
 
 After X'net had defended the proposition concern- 
 ing the power and rights of the magistracy, with- 
 out opposition, Farel spoke of the injustice done to 
 ministers of the gospel, in terming them antichrists, 
 and treating them as men whose aim was to pro- 
 duce political changes, who first attempted to destroy 
 the church, in order the more easUy to dethrone 
 princes. As a counterpart to their calumny, he re- 
 presented the doctrine of the Romish church, which 
 withdraws every ecclesiastic, as soon as he has re- 
 ceived ordination, from allegiance to the civil powers, 
 so that if all the inhabitants of a country should de- 
 vote themselves to the church, the civil rulers would 
 not have a single subject left ; while, on the other 
 hand, this doctrine excludes princes, being lay- 
 men, from interfering with the affairs of the church, 
 which it devolves entirely on the priests, who are in 
 subjection to the pope, as their supreme head. 
 Farel exhorted the magistracy to abolish poper\", and 
 to permit the preaching of the pure word of God. 
 At the same time, he urged on the people the duty 
 of thanking God for granting them pious rulers, who 
 were anxious to make them acquainted with the way 
 of salvation. He then read the ninth proposition, 
 relating to mamage and celibacy, and vindicated 
 the honour of the former, from a consideration of its 
 
146 
 
 DISPUTATION AT LAUSANNE. 
 
 Author, its antiquity, and its uses. He described the 
 pernicious effects of celibacy among the clergy, shown 
 in the number of corrupted and ruined families, and 
 in the multitudes of their illegitimate offspring, ex- 
 posed in the streets, destitute and diseased, cursing 
 their fathers and mothers, and objects of universal 
 disgust, of whom even more were to be found in 
 Lausanne than in Geneva. He remarked how much 
 the consciences of the canons must accuse them, 
 since not one of them ventured to show his face at 
 the debate on this projiosition. 
 
 Viret read and explained the tenth proposition, 
 which Blanchrose combated on medical grounds, 
 alleging that the season of Lent was peculiarly 
 well chosen, being a time when all nature is re- 
 awaking from a general torpor, and, consequently, 
 the human frame is more liable to inflammatory dis- 
 orders. Farel, after considering fasting in various 
 points of view, declared it, as practised in the Romish 
 church, to be only a mockery and pretence ; since, 
 though flesh was forbidden, much of the food allowed 
 to be eaten was stimulating and diflicult of digestion. 
 He remarked, also, that it was a striking circumstance 
 that the command to fast proceeded from Rome, the 
 seat of gluttony. He praised the goodness of God 
 for creating such a variety of things for the sus- 
 tenance of mankind, which they might enjoy with 
 perfect liberty and thankfulness ; and contrasted with 
 this, the tyranny of the popes, who, by their despotic 
 
DISPUTATION AT LAUSANNE. 
 
 147 
 
 commands, robbed people of their christian liberty, 
 imposed greater burdens than were borne by the 
 Jews, and drained their verj' life-blood. 
 
 On the afternoon of the seventh day, Farel made 
 a long speech, in which he reviewed the propositions, 
 and urged the assembly to reflect upon the truths 
 they had heard, and receive them ; more especially 
 he called on the clergy to renounce their errors, to 
 study the holy Scriptures, and adopt them as the 
 rule of their faith and practice. He encouraged the 
 more youthful among them, who possessed the requi- 
 site abilities, to do their utmost in order to be qua- 
 hfied for the sacred office. He called upon the 
 magistrate to extirpate popery and immorality in the 
 newly conquered districts, and to promote true virtue 
 and the dissemination of the Divine word. He con- 
 trasted the persecuting conduct of the priests with 
 that of the ministers of the gospel. Alluding to a 
 plot which had been laid, but was timely discovered, 
 to assassinate the ministers on their journey to Lau- 
 sanne, he said, " We do not thirst for blood, like 
 those who laid in wait to destroy us on our way 
 hither. So far from seeking to punish them, we in- 
 terceded on their behalf, and our only wish is, that 
 they may receive complete forgiveness." The baihff 
 then dissolved the assembly, and desired them quietly 
 to wait the result. 
 
 From the account we have of the disputation, it 
 is evident that Farel took the lead in the debate : it 
 was opened and closed by him, and there was scarcely 
 L 2 
 
148 
 
 DISPUTATION AT LAUSANNE. 
 
 a proposition on which he did not speak at the time 
 it was discussed, or make remarks upon it at the 
 close of the debate. Though unprepared for the 
 protests and objections of the canons, he repUed to 
 them with great discretion, and opposed Scripture to 
 Scripture, the fathers to the fathers, and the decrees 
 of one council to those of another. 
 
 The ignorance of the priests was exposed on this 
 occasion, not less than their immorality, and was 
 attested by the excuses they made for their silence, 
 and by the charges they brought against i*^arel and 
 his associates, of arrogance and self-conceit, and of 
 want of charity, in exposing the faults of their 
 opponents. 
 
 The disputation was not without considerable effect. 
 Several of the principal persons on the popish side 
 went home, convinced of their errors, and became 
 promoters of the reformation. Farel returned home 
 with joy to Geneva, fuU of gratitude to God, for hav- 
 ing granted him this opportunity of making kno\\ n 
 the truth. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 CONFESSION OF GENEVA THE ANABAPTISTS 
 
 CAROLl's ACCUSATIONS. 
 
 Though the reformation was now publicly introduced 
 and adopted at Geneva, Farel was not satisfied till he 
 had taken further measures for promoting unanimit)- 
 in rehgion. He conceived that a general confession 
 of faith would be advantageous, and with a special 
 reference to the state of the newly planted church, 
 he drew up twenty-one articles, as simple and in- 
 telligible as possible, without subtleties or technical 
 definitions, and founded solely on the Scriptures. 
 They were in substance as follows : — 
 
 " The word of God is the rule of faith. There is 
 only one God, who must be worshipped in spirit and 
 in truth, and in whom we must place our entire 
 confidence: wise, powerful, righteous, gracious, and 
 merciful, he is the sole Lord of conscience, and his 
 will the only standard of all good ; hence we must 
 be guided alone by his perfect laws. 
 
 " Man by nature has a darkened understanding 
 and a corrupted heart, incapable of himself tnJy to 
 
150 
 
 CONFESSION OP GENEVA. 
 
 know God, or to keep his commandments. Hence he 
 is in dread of condemnation ; but through Christ, in 
 whom we find all we need, and of whom we believe 
 every thing contained in the general confession of 
 the church, we are redeemed, reconciled to God, 
 cleansed from sin by his death, regenerated by his 
 Spirit, so that evil, mortified by his grace, no longer 
 reigns in us, and our wiU is conformed to the Divine 
 will, being by him delivered from the bondage of sin, 
 and rendered capable of good works. 
 
 " Since man continues weak and imperfect till di- 
 vested of his mortal body, and never attains to com- 
 plete perfection, however great his progress may be, 
 he always remains an object of the Divine mercy, 
 and must seek his justification and peace from Christ 
 alone, and not in himself, or in his own works. All 
 the benefits above mentioned, we obtain solely through 
 the grace and mercy of God, without any worthiness 
 or merits of our own, by faith, or by the assured 
 conviction that our salvation comes from God alone, 
 through Christ our Mediator and Intercessor, who 
 has given us free access to God, from whom cometh 
 down every good gift, and to whom alone we must 
 return thanks with fervent and intelligible prayers. 
 
 " The sacraments appointed by Christ are designed 
 to exercise as well as to strengthen our faith ; to 
 confirm the promises of God, and to be a pubhc tes- 
 timony of our belief. Baptism is an outward sign 
 of our acceptance as the children of God and mem- 
 bers of his Son, typifyhig our purification from sin, 
 
CONFESSION OF GENEVA. 
 
 151 
 
 the mortification of the flesh by the death of Christ, 
 that we may hve in him through his Spirit. The 
 Lord's supper is a symbol by which he represents 
 our true fellowsliip with him under the' form of bread 
 and wine. It must be administered in the company 
 of believers, agreeably to its oi-iginal institution, and 
 all who seek salvation through Christ must partake 
 of it. Traditions are not tlie ordinances by which 
 a church is to be governed : they are snares to the 
 conscience, and impose on believers what does not 
 come from God, in order to introduce another form 
 of worship, and destroy christian liberty. 
 
 " The Christian church exists wherever the gospel 
 is purely and faithfully preached, heard, and practised, 
 and the holy sacraments duly administered, though 
 human imperfection may be mingled. 
 
 " Since there will be always despisers of God and 
 his word, excommunication is a holy and salutaiy 
 regulation, instituted by Jesus himself, for the pre- 
 servation of the good and the amendment of the bad ; 
 it extends to aU who ai-e known to be idolaters, 
 blasphemers, murderers, robbers, unchaste, false 
 witnesses, seditious, mischief-makers, calumniators, 
 fighters, drunkards, and spendthrifts, if they do not 
 amend after being admonished. 
 
 " The teachers of the church are faithful ministers 
 of God's word, who feed the flock of Jesus Chi-ist 
 with it; that is, who teach, admonish, comfort, warn, 
 and reprove, and resist all false doctrine and delu- 
 sions of Satan. They have no other power than to 
 
152 
 
 THE ANABAPTISTS. 
 
 govern the people committed to their charge, by 
 means of the word of God, without which they must 
 not and dare not attempt any thing. 
 
 " To the civil authorities, honour and obedience is 
 due, when commanding nothing contrary to God's 
 will, as well as intercession for them, and bear- 
 ing the burdens they impose. All unfaithfulness 
 towards them, as well as indifference to the pub- 
 lic welfare, or the disturbance of it, is unfaithfulness 
 towards God." 
 
 This confession contained also some severe reflec- 
 tions on the traditions, the mass, and otlier corrup- 
 tions of the Romish church, as the inventions of 
 Satan. This confession was accepted by the great 
 council, printed and published, and read every Sun- 
 day in the cathedral. After some time it was re- 
 solved, that all the citizens should solemnly express 
 their assent to it. This gave rise to fresh dissen- 
 sions. They who were still attached to popery in 
 their hearts, the friends of the Anabaptists and the 
 opposers of church discipline, were against the con- 
 fession ; to whom might be added the enemies of 
 social order, from its asserting decidedly the duty of 
 obeying the civil powers. Many intrigues were 
 formed, both against the church and the state. The 
 Anabaptists were one source of confusion and dis- 
 turbance. Farel was already acquainted mth these 
 people, and was aware of the artifices they employed 
 against the reformers. They had spread a report 
 concerning himself, that he had joined their party. 
 
THE AXABAPTISTS. 
 
 153 
 
 Two Flemings, Herman de Liege and Andrew Benait, 
 had prevailed on some members of the senate to 
 adopt their tenets, by whose means they were intro- 
 duced to the whole body, and submitted to them cer- 
 tain propositions, which they offered to defend against 
 the preachers. The senate were averse to a disput- 
 ation in pubhc, and wished it to be confined to the 
 great coimcil; but Farel and Cal\an urged the former 
 mode. It was accordingly held in the convent of the 
 Franciscans, in the presence of the senate and a 
 great multitude of people, and lasted several days. 
 The Anabaptists were declared to be vanquished ; but 
 it was resolved, for the future, not to permit such 
 controversies, from an apprehension that they would 
 unsettle rather than confirm the newly estab- 
 lished faith ; the preachers also were forbidden to 
 dispute with such persons. The Anabaptists having 
 declared that they could not conscientiously retract 
 their opinions, both they and their adherents were 
 ordered to quit the city, on pain of death ; but no 
 haste was shown to execute the sentence on the 
 townspeople. A few years after, Herman de Liege 
 sought another conference with Cal\-in in Strasburg, 
 confessed that in many points he had been mistaken, 
 and excited hopes of the complete abandonment of 
 his errors. 
 
 A new opponent now entered the hsts against Farel 
 and Calvin : this was Peter Caroh, a man full of 
 vanity, servihty, fickleness, and hypocrisy, who for 
 many years had been seeking to push himself into 
 
154 
 
 CAROLl's ACCUSATIONS. 
 
 notice. He had lectured on the Scriptures in Paris, 
 where Farel had known him, and become aware of 
 his immoral course of life. He became suspected 
 by his colleagues in the Sorbonne, as to the correct- 
 ness of his sentiments, for which he was called to 
 account. He endeavoured to evade the charge by 
 recriminations, appeals, and protests, and immediately 
 after appeared in pubhc, contrary to his promise. His 
 doctrines (which were in part correct) were con- 
 demned as blasphemous, heretical, and borrowed 
 from Luther, WicklifF, the Waldenses, and Bohemians. 
 Expelled from Paris, it is supposed that he went to 
 Meaux. He afterwards made his peace with the 
 Sorbonne, by a recantation ; and when minister at 
 Alencon, from being an object of persecution, became 
 himself a persecutor. Soon after this, he ranked 
 with Faber, Roupel, and Arand, as an advocate of 
 evangelical principles, and when persecution broke 
 out afresh, he left the country and came to Geneva. 
 
 At some of the disputations he acted in a very 
 ambiguous manner, sometimes pretending entire 
 neutrality, at another time servilely applauding 
 Farel and Viret's doctrines ; but though he pro- 
 fessed to concur with them in every point, and even 
 termed the adoration of the host horrible idolatry, 
 he refused to sign the resolutions passed at the meet- 
 ing, alleging that it would put obstacles in the way 
 of his return to France. In Basle, whither he went 
 on leaving Geneva, he acted a veiy disingenuous 
 part, and asserted that he had refused to sign, only 
 
CAROLl's ACCUSATIONS. 
 
 155 
 
 that Farel and Viret might not enjoy the triumph of 
 having overcome him. When minister of Neufchatel, 
 he went with Peter Guido to one of the convocations 
 at Basle, and was present at the disputation at Lau- 
 sanne, where he evidently sought to bring himself 
 into notice. At Neufchatel he married into a family 
 of respectability. At his earnest solicitation, the se- 
 nate of Berne appointed him minister of Lausanne, 
 and, on account of his seniority and doctor's degree, 
 gave him the precedence of the tried and meritorious 
 Viret. Not content with this, he sought to exer- 
 cise an authority over Viret and the clergy of the 
 whole neighbourhood; but the Bernese, aware of 
 his aspiring disposition, recommended him to pay 
 deference to the advice and experience of Viret. He 
 then endeavoured to gain his ends by secret in- 
 trigues. At first he aimed to prevent the entire 
 abolition of popery ; and when that seemed imprac- 
 ticable, he attempted to injure the reputation of Farel 
 and Vii'et, in order to procure the rejection of their 
 doctrine and discipline, and affected a superiority over 
 his countrymen, the French preachers. Yet Farel 
 still evinced the utmost solicitude for his welfare. 
 Not content with his having renounced popery, he 
 wished to see him altogether a changed man. He 
 remonstrated with him very seriously on his faults, 
 and exhorted him to make the best reparation in his 
 power for past errors, by zeal in the Lord's service, 
 and purity of heart. His efforts, however, seemed 
 of httle avail ; for, not long after, Caroli was again 
 
156 CAROLl's ACCUSATIONS. 
 
 suspected of licentious conduct. On one occasion, 
 when Viret was preaching on unchastity, he ran out of 
 the church in a great rage, and cried out like a mad- 
 man, " These people are always taunting and insult- 
 ing me, but I will be revenged on them." Viret 
 declared that he had not thought of him. Caroli, 
 however, kept his word; and Farel in particular, who 
 saw through his character, and warned his friends 
 against him, was the especial object of his resent- 
 ment. 
 
 Caroli's first attack was made upon Viret. He 
 took advantage of his absence on one occasion, to 
 read from the pulpit a document, in which he at- 
 tempted to prove the necessity of prayers for the dead ; 
 declaring, that, for the future, he woidd not be guided 
 by the opinion of such a young man. Through the 
 medium of his partizans, the alfair was brought before 
 the senate. When he found that his efforts against 
 Viret were useless, he directed his mahce against 
 Fabri. During Caroli's absence, Farel came to Lau- 
 sanne ; but the senate of Berne, afraid lest he should 
 increase the violence of party feehng, enjoined him 
 peremptorily to abstain from all interference in the 
 business, and to confine his attention to his own 
 church. Calvin was sent for in haste from Geneva. 
 Commissioners also arrived from Berne, to whose 
 arbitration the dispute was submitted. They con- 
 demned Caroli's doctrine, and demanded a recant- 
 ation ; but on his humbly imploring their forbearance, 
 and at Calvin's intercession, this was dispensed with. 
 
CAROLl's ACCUSATIONS. 157 
 
 The affair was now supposed to be ended, when all 
 at once Caroh with much emotion said, that the glory 
 of God and of Christ, the advancement of true religion, 
 the unity of the church, and the pubhc peace, as well as 
 the necessity of disburdening his own conscience, called 
 upon him to divulge a fact which had long lain 
 heavily on his heart, namely, that several preachers, 
 both at Lausanne and Geneva, were infected with 
 Arianism. Without offering any evidence to substan- 
 tiate the charge, he accused all the preachers of Ge- 
 neva, together with Viret, Fabri, and other estimable 
 men. Every one was struck with astonishment. Calvin 
 stated that only a few days before, Caroh had invited 
 him to dinner, and treated him as a dearly beloved 
 brother ; he had also commissioned him to present 
 his salutations to Farel, without saying a word to dis- 
 parage him or others whom he had that day accused 
 of heresy ; that he must have been influenced by far 
 different motives from those which he had alleged, 
 or he would not have so long delayed bringing for- 
 ward his accusations, nor have partaken of the sacra- 
 ment with such suspicious colleagues." " But," added 
 Calvin, " if youi- zeal for orthodoxy be really so great, 
 I beg that you will tell me how you have ascertained 
 that I am infected with heresy ? I have given the 
 world the clearest proofs of my orthodoxy, and have 
 shown that no one maintains the Divinity of Christ 
 more firmly than myself. Every one is acquainted 
 with my works, and I have the satisfaction of know- 
 ing that all the orthodox churches approve of my 
 
158 
 
 CAROLl's ACCUSATIONS. 
 
 doctrine. But what proofs have you given of your 
 faith ? Is it your resorting to taverns or suspicious 
 corners ? Tell me, what reason have you to accuse 
 me of Arianism ? I wiU clear myself from so in- 
 famous a charge, and not suffer my character to be 
 so vilified." Overawed by Calvin's manly appeal, 
 Caroli at once changed his tone, and spoke in the 
 highest terms of him, but repeated his charge against 
 Farel. Calvin defended his friend, and quoted a 
 passage from his own Catechism, which had been in- 
 troduced into Geneva under Farel's sanction. Viret 
 demanded a retractation, to which Caroli consented. 
 But in order to give their absent brethren an oppor- 
 tunity of excidpating themselves, they required that 
 a synod should be convened at Lausanne. 
 
 The synod met on the 14th of May. More than 
 a hundred ministers belonging to the canton of 
 Berne attended, and about twenty from Neufchatel. 
 Caroh had fled at first to Neufchatel, but took 
 courage and returned. Megander, who was sent 
 with the deputation from Berne, opened the synod, 
 and stated the occasion of its being called, — the 
 charge made against the ministers by Caroli. 
 
 Viret was called upon first to speak. Without 
 using the word "Trinity," he expressed his belief in 
 these words, " We confess that the Son, and the 
 Holy Ghost, with the Father, are the true and eter- 
 nal God." The deputies committed this confession to 
 writing, but Caroli was not satisfied with it, and 
 called it brief, obscure, and cold. He repeated the 
 
CAROLl's ACCUSATIONS. 
 
 159 
 
 Nicene and Athanasian creeds, with singular gesticu- 
 lations, which excited the laughter of the whole 
 assembly, and making a sudden pause, accused several 
 other preachers. Claudius of Savoy, whom he had 
 charged with Arianism, declared his entire disavowal 
 of it. No proofs could he found against others who 
 were accused. 
 
 The Genevese preachers observed a profound 
 silence till the close. Calvin then rose, and accused 
 Caroli of troubling the church from blameworthy 
 motives, and of casting reflections on innocent and 
 highly deservhig men. To justify himself and his 
 colleagues, he presented a full confession of their 
 belief, with a direct disavowal of the sentiments 
 falsely imputed to them. 
 
 Caroh objected to about ten phrases, and also 
 remarked, that the confession contained neither the 
 word " Trinity," nor " person ; " whilst on the other 
 hand, in some points, it was hypcrorthodox. After 
 Cal^'in had given some further explanation of their 
 views, Caroli required that the Genevese preachers 
 should sign the three most ancient creeds, as a proof 
 of their orthodoxy. This they refused to do, that 
 they might not by their example introduce such 
 tyranny into the church, as that an individual should 
 be exposed to the charge of heresy only for refusing 
 to use the words, or to speak according to the 
 pleasure, of another. 
 
 Caroli then repeated the words of Athanasius, 
 " This is the cathohc faith, which, except a man 
 
160 
 
 FAREL ACCUSES CAROLI. 
 
 believe, he cannot be saved;" and added, that no man 
 could be a christian who rejected this creed. Calvin 
 exposed the nullity of his assertion, and charged him 
 with not having this faith himself, since he had not 
 received the fourth article of the Athanasian creed. 
 
 The synod unanimously pronounced the confession 
 of the Genevese preachers to be orthodox, and that 
 Caroli was a calumniator, unworthy of the ministerial 
 office. He appealed to the council of Berne, who 
 referred the matter to a synod, which was to be held 
 there at the end of the month. At that time, Caroli 
 appeared, and made his charge against Farel, Calvin, 
 and Viret, with much effrontery, but with little regard 
 to truth. Their vindication was declared by the 
 whole assembly to be complete. When they were 
 interrogated respecting Caroli's fitness for the pas- 
 toral office, he was alarmed, and objected to evidence 
 being received against him from persons whom he 
 had just accused. But as the synod persisted in 
 pressing their interrogatories, he at length allowed 
 that he had been guilty of some irregularities. Here 
 Farel interrupted him, and gave a long catalogue of 
 his misdemeanors : amongst other things, he charged 
 him with being accessory to the death of two youths 
 who had broken some images, and whom he had 
 watched till an opportunity offered of delivering them 
 up to judges who were noted for the severity of their 
 punishments. 
 
 The synod then called upon Viret to give an 
 account of the dispute respecting prayers for the 
 
CAROLI SENTENCED. 
 
 161 
 
 dead. He presented a written narrative of the cir- 
 cumstances, and refuted the eight reasons alleged in 
 favour of that practice by Caroh. 
 
 At the close of the synod, the senate pronounced 
 the Genevese preachers and their friends innocent,, 
 and banished Caroh, for calumny and immorality ; 
 but on his exhibiting a more submissive temper, they 
 referred the final decision to an ecclesiastical court. 
 Caroli then brought forward fresh insinuations, 
 more particidarly against Farel, probably because 
 in the Genevese Confession the Trinity was not 
 mentioned, and Farel was the most disinchned to 
 make use of terms not expressly sanctioned by 
 Scripture. 
 
 The Genevese preachers, in reply to this new 
 attack, said, that it did not become a man to make 
 objections, and lay down the law for others, who had 
 been condemned twice bv the church, and once by 
 the senate. On his refusing to make the acknow- 
 ledgments decreed by the ecclesiastical court, he 
 was consigned to the civic authorities, and ordered 
 by the bailiff not to go beyond the bounds of the 
 city. Early the next morning, however, he made his 
 escape to Solothurn, where he attended the service 
 of the mass, and reviled the reformed mode of wor- 
 ship. He wrote to the senate of Lausanne, thanking 
 God that he had been honourably deliveied from a 
 vile faction whom he abhorred ; that a- the contro- 
 versy concerning the fundamental articles of tlic 
 
 M 
 
162 CAROLl PARDONED BY THE POPE. 
 
 Christian faith was not yet ended, if God would 
 alFord him courage and strength, as he had hitherto 
 done, he would continue to combat the enemies of 
 the most holy and undivided Trinity, as weU as ad- 
 vocate the mass, and prayers for the dead. After 
 this, he went to Rome with recommendations from 
 Cardinal Tournon, and presented a memorial to the 
 Pope, in which he avowed his detestation of the irre- 
 gular practices of the new sect, and of the pernicious 
 doctrines held by their teachers, who had revived the 
 ancient heresies ; he also denounced Farel as the 
 chief of all heretics. Boasting that he had been vic- 
 torious over his opponents, he besought the Pope 
 that he might be again received into the Romish 
 church, that his concubinage, (so he termed his 
 marriage,) might be annulled, and that he might be 
 restored to his rank as Doctor, with power to exer- 
 cise the clerical functions and hold benefices. His 
 request was complied with ; the Pope granted him a 
 letter of absolution, and notwithstanding his conduct 
 had been so immoral, he still found patrons ; for he 
 was as expert in flattering others as in defending 
 himself. He excited in Berne a distrust of the 
 people of Valois. Myconius, also, for want of better 
 information, entertained unjust suspicions of the 
 Genevese ministers. They sent therefore an account 
 of the whole affair, which had excited great attention 
 in Switzerland and Germany, to Zurich, and after- 
 wards transmitted, through their friend Grynoeus, 
 
ORTHODOXY OF THE SEXATE. 
 
 163 
 
 ■' An Apology in the matter of Caroli, against those 
 who patronise him," with their confession respecting 
 the Trinity, and a declaration that they had no 
 special objection against the use of ecclesiastical 
 terms relative to that doctrine, though Farel con- 
 tinued to deem them unscriptural and unimportant. 
 Myconius and the people of Berne had been much 
 displeased that these terms had not been employed 
 in Caroli's affair. The senate, therefore, took occa- 
 sion to reprove Farel for refusing to employ the lan- 
 guage of the catholic church. In order to give their 
 opponents no pretext either for persecution, or for 
 the rejection of the reformed doctrine, they felt 
 anxious that not only their sentiments but their 
 words should be orthodox. 
 
 When Capito and Bucer came to Berne to justify 
 themselves from the charge of having acted insin- 
 cerely in the affair of the Concordat with Luther, 
 the complaint against Farel and Cal^•in for their dis- 
 use of ecclesiastical terms was again discussed. With 
 respect to Calvin, the accusation was ver}- ill founded, 
 since he had not oidy made use of them in his insti- 
 tutes, but maintained their necessity. At the same 
 time, both he and the Strasburg divines were of opi- 
 nion, that if any person was reluctant to use these 
 terms. pro%-ided he rejected them neither from ma- 
 lice nor obstinacy, he ought to be tolerated, and not 
 excluded as heterodox. 
 
 At length it was agreed, that the words Trinitv- 
 
164 
 
 ORTHODOXV OF THE SENATE, 
 
 and Person should be regarded as suitable for desig-- 
 nating and defending the doctrine of the Father, 
 Son, and Holy Spirit, but that no one should be ex- 
 pelled from the church, simply because he did not 
 make use of them ; nor, on the other hand, should 
 the clergy of Berne be reproached, if they refused 
 to admit to the ministry persons who rejected these 
 terms. 
 
 It was a great advantage to Farel and his friends, 
 that, on all these occasions, Calvin, to whom no sus- 
 picion could reasonably attach, stood forward and 
 undertook their defence. The clergy of Berne, how- 
 ever, were not so anxious to enforce the use of the 
 estabhshed phraseology respecting the Trinity, as 
 they were that Bucer and Capito should make it 
 apparent that they agreed with their Swiss brethren 
 on the doctrine of the Lord's supper. As the clergy 
 of Berne strongly disapproved of the terms " essen- 
 tially," "bodily," "fleshly," and " supernaturally," 
 they were omitted, or less objectionable words sub- 
 stituted. The mystery of the communion of the 
 Lord's supper is termed, indeed, unspeakable, and a 
 participation of the body and blood is mentioned ; 
 but the confession, in which all bodily presence is 
 carefully excluded, thus concludes : " the spiritual 
 participation, or the spirit, is the bond of our fellow- 
 ship with him " The Strasburg divines, who had 
 hitherto been accustomed to dictate to others, signed 
 this confession, after rejecting the expression of a 
 
OUTHODOXy OF THE SENATE. 
 
 165 
 
 " mere commemoration," and speaking of a real 
 communion of the body and blood of Christ ; and 
 the clergy of Berne were satisfied with this sub- 
 scription. 
 
 The ministers of Zurich were much dissatisfied 
 that their brethren at Strasburg should be invited to 
 Berne, in order to sign new confessions of faith. In 
 their apprehension the truth was obscured, and its 
 progress retarded, by the conduct of the Bernese 
 clergy, and particularly by their refusal to admit to 
 the pastoral office on account of unscriptural terms. 
 They came, consequently, into closer union with the 
 ministers of Geneva, of whose confession they cor- 
 dially approved. 
 
 Farel laid to heart these disputes so much, even 
 when they first arose, that Calvin dreaded the effect 
 upon his health, and sent for Viret, in order to tran- 
 quillize him. " Our adversaries," said he, " have 
 now a fair handle against us, since we also have our 
 popes, bishops, al)bots, and priors." 
 
 Meanwhile Farel's reputation increased, both in 
 his own neighbourhood and in foreign parts. Even 
 Ekiglishmen travelled as far as Geneva, for the pur- 
 pose of becoming acquainted with him and Calvin. 
 His enemy Caroh, still tried, however, to fasten the 
 charge of Arianism upon him, for which purpose he 
 referred to a little work published by Farel, called 
 " A Summary of Christian Doctrine," which chiefly 
 touched on the points at issue between the reformers 
 
166 
 
 ORTHODOXY OF THE SENATE. 
 
 and the papists, and of course said little on the doc- 
 trine of the Trinity. To repel Caroli's mis-state- 
 ments, Farel prepared a new and enlarged edition, 
 with an appendix, containing the reasons of its re- 
 publication, and expressing his desire to present to 
 his readers the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ, and to 
 make the Scriptures the standard by which all reli- 
 gious opinions should be tried. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 DISTURBANCES ON ACCOUNT OF THE CONFESSION 
 
 EXPULSION OF THE PREACHERS ATTEMPTS FOR 
 
 THEIR RECALL. 
 
 The ritual and discipline of the refoimed church in 
 Geneva had heen arranged by Farel and Viret before 
 Calvin's arrival ; nor does it appear that he had any 
 share in preparing the confession, with the exception 
 of the article on excommunication, a point which he 
 considered of the first importance, and essential to 
 the well-being of the church. 
 
 However much the religious and political parties in 
 Geneva differed from one another, they were unani- 
 mous in opposing the new regulations as an infringe- 
 ment on their former liberty. Those who were in 
 their hearts still attached to popery, refused to send 
 their children to the protestant schools ; and persons 
 disposed to embrace the sentiments of the anabaptists, 
 (of which one was the unlawfulness of all oaths,) 
 scrupled to give the solemn pledge which the confes- 
 sion required. To the majority, the article on ex- 
 communication gave great offence ; while many felt 
 
168 
 
 DISTURBANCES ON ACCOUNT 
 
 aggrieved at the insertion of the ten commandments, 
 which they said it was impossible to observe. On 
 he other hand, the preachers, from an earnest desire 
 of checking the prevailing depravity of manners, and 
 uf promoting unanimity, urged the administration of 
 the oath. Calvin even threatened to leave the city, 
 unless some additional regulations were made for 
 dividing it into parishes, and appointing elders, with- 
 out which he thought that that strict supervision 
 would be impracticable which ought to be maintained 
 by those who assumed the office not merely of 
 preachers, but of pastors. 
 
 By the command of the senate, the inhabitants 
 assembled in the cathedral, and after a sermon by 
 Farel, in which he exhorted them to hve in the unity 
 of the faith, the confession was read, and the syndics 
 administered the oath. Many of the more respect- 
 able class, however, absented themselves on this oc- 
 casion, and decidedly refused to adopt the confession. 
 They were ordered, in consequence, to quit the city, 
 but so great were their numl^ers and their influence, 
 that they could safely disobey. 
 
 To fortify themselves against the powerful opposi- 
 tion they encountered, Farel and Calvin sent the 
 confession to Berne, where it was examined and 
 approved. They also obtained a deputation from that 
 state, for the purpose of exhorting the Genevese to 
 peace and concord, and to impress upon them the in- 
 estimable value of the religious and civil freedom 
 which they now enjoyed. This mission, however. 
 
OF THE CONFESSION. 
 
 169 
 
 produced little effect ; for the opponents of the Re- 
 formation were at that time so much in favour with 
 the people, that they chose the new s\Tidics from 
 their part\\ 
 
 But the preachers were not only harassed by their 
 avowed enemies ; they were brought into painful col- 
 lision with their brethren in the faith. Since the 
 Genevese kept only Sunday, a difference arose 
 between them and the Bernese, respecting the cele- 
 bration of certain feast davs, (Christmas, New year's 
 day, the Annunciation, and the Ascension,) the use 
 of unleavened bread at the Lord's supper, the bap- 
 tismal font, and the head-dresses of brides, which, in 
 adherence to the letter of Scripture, (1 Pet. iii. 3,) 
 were disapproved of by the Genevese preachers. The 
 Bernese wished to establish an uniformity of rites, in 
 order to repel the charge of want of unity, which was 
 brought against the Evangelical church, and as they 
 considered the Genevese to be under obUgations to 
 them for the introduction of the reformation, they ex- 
 pected them to conform to their standard of discipline. 
 
 A s\Tiod was convoked at Lausanne for the pur- 
 pose of settling this difference. The Bernese ap- 
 pointed as a deputation to attend this meeting, two 
 members of the great council, John Huber, and John 
 Louis Ammon, together with Peter Conz and Eras- 
 mus Ritter. The synod unanimouslv adopted the 
 usages of the church of Berne ; but Farel and Calvin, 
 who had consulted with the divines of Basle and 
 Strasburg on the subject, would not submit to its 
 
170 
 
 DISTURBANCES ON ACCOUNT 
 
 decision. They conversed amicably with the Bernese 
 deputies and ministers, and agreed with them on 
 most points, excepting the feast days. As they wished 
 to practise compUance with the wishes of others, as 
 far as was compatible with their own christian hberty, 
 and saw no evil likely to arise from not coming im- 
 mediately to a decision, they proposed to lay the 
 matter before the synod of Zurich. This proposal, 
 however, was rejected, and they received a commu- 
 nication from the senate of Berne, and another from 
 the ministers, urging them, for the sake of peace and 
 unanimity, to adopt the decision of the synod of Lau- 
 sanne. In reply, the preachers complained of being 
 so pressed, and of not being allowed to take the 
 opinion of other churches. The council of Geneva, 
 on the contrary, detennined, in order to gain the 
 favour of the Bernese, to accede to their wishes. The 
 chssensions in that city now became greater than ever. 
 The strictness of the preachers in matters of minor 
 importance, and their enforcement of the laws which 
 affected the dissolute among the higher classes, 
 served to increase the general odium against them. 
 It was said that they aimed at erecting a new system 
 of popery, and tyrannizing over thech urch. Mean- 
 while the observance of the statutes of the Reforma- 
 tion was less and less regarded, and doubts were cast 
 upon their authority, by the very persons who ought 
 to have upheld it. The senate prohibited the minis- 
 ters from preaching unless they would administer the 
 sacrament in the same manner as the Bernese. At 
 
OF THE CONFESSION. 
 
 171 
 
 Easter, however, the ministers declared that they 
 could not conscientiously administer the sacrament at 
 aU, in a city where so much evil abounded ; but in 
 defiance of the prohibition, Calvin preached in the 
 cathedral, and Far el in the church of St. Gervaise. 
 The next day, without being heard in their own 
 defence, they were ordered to leave the city within 
 three davs, for refusing to obey the senate. "Well," 
 said they, " it is better to obey God rather than 
 man ! " Calvin, who had discharged his ministerial 
 duties without recei\-ing any remuneration, added, 
 " If I had been the serv-ant of men, I should have 
 been iU rewarded ; but I rejoice in serv ing a Master 
 who never fails to give his servants the recompense 
 that he has promised ! " " The sufferings occasioned 
 by our owti people," Fai'el remarked, " are indeed 
 painful ; but God has a right to impose upon those 
 who are his what cross he pleases, according to his 
 wisdom ; and it is our duty to bear willingly whatso- 
 ever he sends us." 
 
 They were not, however, left destitute of encou- 
 ragement and consolation in this season of trial. 
 Grynceus, whom they had infonned of their troubles, 
 wrote to them as follows : — " It is not your own 
 cause you are maintaining, but that of Christ, the 
 King of kings. He has his eye upon you who are 
 his ser\-ants, and obser^-es, also, Satan, who is raging 
 against you. The power of God's Spirit must be 
 manifested through you, and the craft of Satan must 
 be exposed. However the storm may gather around 
 
172 EXPULSION OF THE PREACHERS. 
 
 you, a firm adherence, with a stedfast and confiding 
 heart, to the word of God, will be your help and de- 
 fence. Daily ascend the pulpit as you have been 
 wont, firmly trusting in the Lord, and speak from the 
 lieart in the fulness of faith and love. I clearly see 
 that your senate is not sincere, and that the protection 
 of Bernes doubtful ; but the Lord Uveth. The word 
 of God never manifests its power more mightily than 
 when Satan rages." 
 
 On leaving Geneva, Farel and Calvin proceeded 
 to Berne, and gave an account to the senate of the 
 circumstances attending their expulsion. Their state- 
 ment was hstened to with indignation and son-ow. 
 The senate lost no time in expostulating with the Ge- 
 nevese. They urged them to set Corault at Uberty, 
 and to receive again the excellent teachers whom 
 they had dismissed ; they were also assured, that the 
 uniformity of rites and discipline which they were de- 
 sired to adopt, was proposed for their own advantage, 
 and not from a wish to impose on their consciences 
 in matters of indifference. The answer was such as 
 might be expected from those who were hurried away 
 by their passions, instead of being guided by reason. 
 
 The two friends now departed for Zurich, where en- 
 voys from the districts which had embraced the Reform- 
 ation were assembled, with Bucer and Capito. They 
 represented to their brethren the distracted state of 
 the church at Geneva, the destitute condition of the 
 sincerely pious, and the imminent danger of the entire 
 overthrow of the whole fabric on which they had be- 
 
EXPULSION OF THE PREACHERS. 173 
 
 Stowed SO much labour. Though they felt that they 
 were the victims of an unjust persecution, yet they 
 were ready to acknowledge, that, from inexperience 
 and mistaken views, they had erred in doing or leav- 
 ing undone many things ; they allowed that they had 
 perhaps been too strict on some points, and expressed 
 their willingness to receive further instructions. 
 They made no objection to the baptismal font, but 
 only wished that the ceremonies hitherto in use 
 should be continued. They also were ready to ad- 
 mit the change in the sacramental bread, although 
 they foresaw that difficulties would arise if the clergy 
 of Berne per^^isted in their mode of " breaking bread " 
 With respect to holidays, they were willing to yield, 
 provided their obsen-ance was not rendered compulsory, 
 and that the people were allowed to work after Divine 
 service. The assembly agreed with them in judging 
 that the constrained introduction of festivals was con- 
 trary to the confession of Basle, and to the principles 
 of christian liberty. With respect to their restor- 
 ation to office. Farel and Calvin declared, that as they 
 had been condemned unheard, they wished to be 
 examined before their opponents, in order to justify 
 themselves to the world, and that it might not be 
 said that their restoration was merely an act of in- 
 dulgence. In reference to church discipline, the 
 points which they deemed the most necessary were, — 
 the division of the city into parishes, in order to ren- 
 der the connexion between the pastors and their 
 flocks more intimate ; the appointment of a sufficient 
 
174 EXPULSION OF THE PREACHERS. 
 
 number of preachers and elders ; greater regularity 
 in the appointment to the sacred office, and that the 
 senate should abstain from the " laying on of hands," 
 which belonged to the ministry alone ; the more fre- 
 quent administration of the sacrament : the singing 
 of psalms ; and, lastly, the enforcement, when neces- 
 sary, of excommunication, according to the mode 
 already prescribed and adopted. 
 
 The assembly acknowledged the importance of 
 these points, and allowed that Farel and Calvin were 
 not obstinately striving about matters of indifference, 
 but that their hearts were set on the promotion of 
 objects ti-uly christian and important. While they 
 promised their support, they enforced, at the same 
 time, the duty of moderation and christian meekness. 
 Letters were written to Geneva, to effect their recall, 
 and the improvement of the church. The senate of 
 Berne was requested to send a deputation thither, 
 who should undertake the defence of the exiled 
 preachers, attempt their reinstatement, and settle 
 every thing in an amicable manner. 
 
 Farel and Calvin now returned to Berne, resolved 
 to meet whatever trials might await them with pa- 
 tience and meekness. Bullinger requested Von 
 Wattenwyl, the provost, to assist them. "Although," 
 said he, "they manifest too ardent a zeal, yet they 
 are pious and learned men, who have a claim on our 
 candour and forbearance." When they appeared be- 
 fore the Bernese ministers, they were treated with 
 great rudeness and severity by Conz. He charged 
 
ATTEMPTS FOR THEIR RECALL. 
 
 175 
 
 them with throwing all the churches of Germany into 
 confusion hy their hesitation respecting the sacra- 
 mental bread, nor would he listen to any explanations 
 they could offer. To appease his anger, they men- 
 tioned their concession in reference to holidays; 
 but here his anger broke out into a fi-esh paroxysm, 
 and he reproached them with reserve and craftiness. 
 Tliey appealed to the sincerity and openness with 
 which they had given their conditional assent to this 
 point. After fresh reproaches, he accused them of 
 dupUcity in such unmeasured terms, that Erasmus 
 Ritter, Emd the other envoys who were present at the 
 synod of Lausanne, charged him with falsehood, and 
 offered to procure satisfaction for the preachers 
 from the great council, should they require it. 
 
 This scene made so powerful an impression on 
 Farel's mind, that as long as he lived he could never 
 recur to it without horror. A few days after, he and 
 his companion were summoned before the senate, 
 and thrice in one hour were called upon to surrender 
 the disputed points. They maintained, that it be- 
 longed to the church to adopt the plan of uniformity ; 
 nor would they alter their resolution, preferring to 
 suffer any thing rather than yield to the intrigues of 
 a corrupt faction. 
 
 Viret had been already despatched to Geneva, to 
 exhort the people to act as became christians ; but 
 the senate now resolved that two envoys should ac- 
 company the preachers to the neighbourhood of 
 Geneva, enter the city without them, make prepara- 
 
176 ATTEMPTS FOR THEIR RECALL. 
 
 tions for their being again received, and then intro- 
 duce and reinstate them in their office. On their 
 objecting that this would have too much the appear- 
 ance of being restored by favour, and expressing a 
 wish that one of the Bernese ministers should accom- 
 pany the deputation, the senate resolved that they 
 should be conducted directly into the city ; that a 
 time and place should be appointed for justifying their 
 conduct, and that if no charge were brought home 
 to them, they should then resume the station they 
 before occupied. The envoys were also commis- 
 sioned to lay before the people the articles drawn up 
 at Zurich, in the presence of Farel and Calvin, who 
 would thus be able to remove any doubts and objec- 
 tions that might be started against them. 
 
 A league from Geneva, they were met by a mes- 
 senger, who forbad the preachers from entering 
 within its walls. Relying on the goodness of their 
 cause, they would still have proceeded, had not the 
 deputation held them back, and thus happily preserved 
 them from persons who lay in wait for them near the 
 city. The gates were guarded, as if to keep out a 
 hostile force. The great council informed the deput- 
 ation that they must bring the matter before the 
 people. Louis Ammon and Viret addressed them in 
 an eloquent manner, and represented the injustice of 
 expelling such deserving individuals, and of refusing 
 to hear them in their own defence. They urged 
 their recall, and reminded the assembly of what Farel 
 had already done and suffered for Geneva. They 
 
THE PREACHERS ARE BANISHED. 177 
 
 appeared to make a strong impression, and left the 
 meeting with hopes of a favourable result. But no 
 sooner had they departed, than one of the syndics 
 drew forth the Zurich articles from his pocket, read 
 them aloud with comments and insinuations, that 
 rendered them offensive to all the people. 
 
 The banishment of the preachers was then con- 
 firmed almost unanimously; and such was the agi- 
 tation of the assembly, that when some proposed to 
 hear their defence, others drew their swords, as if 
 they would have killed them on the spot. 
 
 Thus was the plan of the senate of Berne rendered 
 abortive. Indeed, before the deputation arrived, 
 Peter Vandel, one of the heads of the part}' disaf- 
 fected to the reformation, boasted that he had the 
 sentence of the preachers in his pocket. Conz had 
 furnished him with a copy of the articles, and thus 
 shown that he retained the same feelings of resent- 
 ment and dislike which he had exhibited on former 
 occasions. Very different was the spirit manifested 
 by Gr\-n8eus, who would gladly have seen them rein- 
 stated in their office, and called upon them to look in 
 this affair to Christ alone, and to forget themselves. 
 With this advice they were prepared to comply, for 
 their anxiety was far greater for the welfare of the 
 church than for their own personal comfort. It was 
 their comnction, and this increased their tender soh- 
 citude for the congregations over which they had 
 presided, that what had been done against them in 
 the name of the citj-, had emanated from a few. They 
 
178 THE PREACHERS ARE BANISHED. 
 
 were invited to remain at Berne, and gave offence to 
 some persons by their refusal. It seemed best, how- 
 ever, to direct their course to Basle, where their 
 friends awaited them. 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 FAREl's call to XEUFCHATEL STATE OF THE 
 
 CHURCH IN THAT CITY CAROLl's RETURN 
 
 CALVINS RECALL TO GENEVA. 
 
 On their arrival at Basle, Farel and Calvin were 
 received with much s\-mpathy and kindness, parti- 
 cularly by Gpi-nseus. They resolved on remaining 
 there, tiU Pro\-idence indicated to what part they 
 should direct their steps. Tossanus wished them to 
 return to Lausanne or some other part of the canton 
 of Berne. Others were desirous of recommending 
 them to George Duke of Wiirtemberg. But while 
 they were in this state of uncertainty, Farel re- 
 ceived an imexpected call. The persecution he had 
 endured re\'ived in the hearts of the people of Xeuf- 
 chatel their former attachment to him. They called 
 to Uvely recollection their ha\-ing received fi-om him 
 the elements of the christian faith. After fervent 
 prayer to God, the senate and the council of sixt}»- 
 communicated their unanimous wish to the committee 
 of ministers, that Farel might receive a call to the 
 pastoral office among them. They agreed, and two of 
 N 2 
 
180 farel's call to neupchatel. 
 
 the senators, with two of the ministers, travelled to 
 Basle in order to invite him. At first he was de- 
 cidedly averse to the proposal. He would have pre- 
 ferred devoting himself to private study ; and was 
 aware of the almost insurmountable difficulties that 
 would attend the discharge of the pastoral office, es- 
 ])ecially in reference to ecclesiastical discipline, which 
 had been almost totally neglected. Indeed, of so 
 much importance did he consider this branch of mi- 
 nisterial duty, that it was not till after the strongest 
 assurances that he should not be hindered in estab- 
 lishing it, that he at length yielded to the entreaties 
 of his friends, and the neighbouring churches. Hav- 
 ing once made up his mind, he set off for Neufchatel 
 with his usual promptitude, after spending rather 
 more than seven weeks at Basle. Soon after his 
 departure, his sister's son died there of the plague ; 
 he was visited and comforted in his last hours by 
 Calvin. 
 
 Farel found Neufchatel in some respects altered 
 since his former residence in it. The reformation 
 had spread through the whole of the adjacent coun- 
 try, with the exception of a few villages. The popish 
 clergy had retired, and their opposition, if not less 
 virulent, had, for the most part, ceased to be for- 
 midable. The vicar of Boudry, a native of the dis- 
 trict, who at first adopted, but afterwards deserted 
 the i-eformed faith, was the most persevering in his 
 efforts against it. Assisted by Voga, the mayor, he 
 collected a body of men armed, who attacked Fabri 
 
STATE OF THB CHURCH IN THAT CITY. 181 
 
 and his hearers from Gratte and Bole, during the 
 sermon. By agreement, the evangehcal party had 
 occupied the church at Pontareuse, but were hindered 
 by the priests at Christmas, and aftem^ards assaulted 
 in the church. By the interference of the Bernese, 
 the people were reheved from direct acts of violence, 
 and the priest confined himself to a verbal warfare, 
 attacking at one time the evangelical doctrines, and 
 at another the preachers. 
 
 It was with difficulty that the preachers obtained 
 even a scanty maintenance, since the reigning prince 
 had taken possession of the church revenues. From 
 the synod of ministers instituted by Farel, a com- 
 mittee was formed, which, in the third year of the 
 reformation, framed a set of regulations respecting 
 baptism, the Lord's supper, and the marriage cere- 
 mony. They also gave directions for the mode of 
 preaching, drew up a Liturgy-, ordered the visitation 
 of the sick, and recommended the use of baptismal 
 and marriage registers. The Bible was disseminated 
 in the vernacidar tongue, by means of an edition 
 published at Neufchatel. 
 
 Such was the state of Neufchatel when Farel re- 
 turned thither. Many beneficial changes had been 
 effected, and a foundation laid, but " a wise master 
 builder" was required to carry on and complete the 
 edifice, and to prevent unauthorised persons from 
 emplo\-ing upon it inferior materials. The governor, 
 it is true, had a short time before embraced the prin- 
 
182 
 
 CAROLI S RETURN. 
 
 ciples of the reformation, but still retained his per- 
 sonal dislike of Farel. 
 
 On arriving at Neufchatel, he made it one of his 
 first objects to visit Corault, formerly his companion 
 in affliction, who had been hberated from prison, and 
 had obtained a place of refuge, first with Fabri at 
 Thonon, and subsequently at Orbe. To this last 
 named place Farel accordingly went ; but on entering 
 the town, he perceived the inhabitants in mourning, 
 and found that they had just been cariying to the 
 grave the remains of his pious fellow-labourer. From 
 Lausanne, where he was present at Viret's marriage, 
 he travelled to Tlionon, and heard fi-om some of the 
 Genevese there lamentable accounts of the confusion 
 that prevailed in their city. 
 
 Some of the ablest ministers had been removed 
 from Neufchatel, by the senate of Berne, into their 
 new territories, so that Farel saw few around him 
 whose lives corresponded with the proper model of a 
 christian minister. In some of the churches, the old 
 priests still consumed the revenues, and corrupted 
 the people by their bad example ; in other cases, un- 
 worthy persons insinuated themselves, such as a 
 Frenchman of the name of Alexander, in St. Aubin, 
 who, without the knowledge of the committee, was 
 accepted by the patrons of the benefice, but finally 
 expelled both from his office and church communion. 
 The church was also disturbed by Basil, a Neapohtan, 
 sent, as was supposed, from Romelia, to foment in- 
 
CAKOLl's RETURN. 
 
 183 
 
 trigues ; and Michael, from France, an apostate like 
 Caroli. 
 
 The profanation which, in too many instances. 
 Farel witnessed, of the sacred olEce, and the neglect 
 of pastoral attentions to the sick, the poor, the igno- 
 rant, and the young, disheartened and almost over- 
 powered him. He communicated his distress to his 
 friend Calvin, who, in reply, obsers-ed, " \Mierever 
 you t\im your eyes, you wiU find innumerable causes 
 of lamentation. For myself, I see no end of them, and 
 should lose my courage, if the thought did not sup- 
 port me, that whatever may happen, the work of the 
 Lord must not be abandoned ; and along with so much 
 that is evil, the Lord always grants something that 
 gladdens our hearts." 
 
 In the midst of these perplexing circumstances, 
 Farel was astonished to hear that CaroU had again 
 made his appearance at Neustadt ! Not having ob- 
 tained what he sought from Cardinal de Toumon 
 and the Pope, he professed himself desirous of re- 
 turning to that evangelical church which he had so 
 vilified at Rome. Uncertain of Caroli's intentions, 
 and anxious for the tranquillit}^ of the church, Farel 
 hastened to Neustadt. He was accompanied by Dean 
 Barbarin, his colleague Chaponneau, and two envoys 
 from the council; besides some other preachers. Viret 
 and Zebeden joined them there. It was his deter- 
 mination to return good for evil, to " heap coals of 
 fire on the head " of his enemy, and if possible to 
 cure the wretched instabihty of his religious character. 
 
184 
 
 CAROLl's RETURN. 
 
 In the presence of Peter Cleresse and some of the 
 counsellors of Neustadt, the preachers recounted 
 to Caroli all that he had done against them — his un- 
 just accusations, his flight and apostacy, and the 
 subsequent calumnies against the gospel and its 
 teachers, which he had uttered at Rome, as well as the 
 shameless language which he had used respecting his 
 marriage. Besides this, they called upon him frankly 
 and unreservedly to tell them if he had any objection 
 to make to their doctrine. Caroli made professions 
 of the deepest penitence, bore testimony to the or- 
 thodoxy of the preachers, declared his rejection of 
 purgatory, and intercession for the dead, and termed 
 the mass a denial of the only sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 
 As to forsaking his wife, he confessed that his con- 
 science had severely reproached him, but that he had 
 manifested his attachment by sending her a con- 
 siderable sum of money. He excused many of his 
 speeches and actions as having been done for the 
 sake of being at peace with those among whom he 
 resided. The severe reflections on his former as- 
 sociates contained in his petition to the pope, he 
 ascribed to the pen of the bishop's official at Lyons. 
 He took credit to himself, however, for having 
 preached the evangelical doctrines as often as circum- 
 stances permitted, before the chancellor of France 
 and several cardinals ; he also spoke somewhat osten- 
 tatiously of the consolation he had aff'orded many 
 who had been imprisoned on account of their faith, 
 and of the persecutions which he himself had en- 
 dured. 
 
CAROLl S RETURN. 
 
 1S5 
 
 After this explanation, and on his earnestly re- 
 questing forgiveness, and that his past errors might 
 he buried in oblivion, the preachers present gave him 
 the right hand of fellowship, and promised to use 
 their influence on his behalf with the neighbouring 
 churches, particularly those to whom his former con- 
 duct had been most offensive. When the subject of 
 Caroli's restoration to their communion was brought 
 before the committee of ministers, there was consi- 
 derable diversity of opinion. By some he was looked 
 upon as a worthless individual, on whom all forbear- 
 ance and kindness would be misapplied. Others, and 
 particularly Farel, were more leniently disposed, and 
 conceived that they were acting agreeably to the 
 commands of Christ, in striving to bring this wan- 
 dering sheep back again to the fold. The senate of 
 Berne, however, interposed their authority, and called 
 him to account for having clandestinely left the coim- 
 try, and for the calumnious language he had used 
 respecting them to the pope. Here again Farel en- 
 deavoured to act as a peace-maker, and while he soli- 
 cited the senate to pardon the dehnquent, he urged 
 Caroli to make the fullest acknowledgment of his 
 offences. A general distrust of Caroh, nevertheless, 
 appeared to pervade the reformed churches ; he 
 made several fruitless attempts to be restored to the 
 ministerial office among them, the last of which he 
 addressed to Farel and Calvin from Metz ; but when 
 this, like the preceding negotiations, had failed, he 
 justified the suspicions entertained of his sincerity, by 
 
186 
 
 AFFAIRS IN CONFUSION. 
 
 once more making his peace with the Sorbonne, 
 and returning to the Romish commimion. 
 
 The expulsion of Farel and liis friends from Geneva 
 was followed by the most melancholy results. Every 
 social tie was broken ; order and harmony were ex- 
 changed for discord, tumult, faction, and deeds of 
 violence. Mass was performed without scruple ; the 
 reading of the Scriptures was restricted, and to females 
 totally prohibited. The preachers were regardless of 
 their sacred functions, and even assisted in remo^^ng 
 fi-om their stations the best qualified teachers of youth. 
 No wonder that they were at last looked upon as in- 
 ti-uders and hirelings, who had unlawfully occupied 
 tlie places of the true shepherds ; and that many re- 
 fused to receive the sacrament from their hands. At 
 length their safety was endangered, and some of them 
 left the city. 
 
 Wliat Calvin had predicted, — that the bitter ene- 
 mies of the reformation, while imagining themselves 
 about to enter a port of safety were in reality hasten- 
 ing to destruction, — was most exactly fulfilled. The 
 sjTidics who pronounced sentence of banishment on 
 himself and Farel, met with a dreadful end. John 
 Philipp, a man of a turbulent and ferocious disposi- 
 tion, was executed as a murderer. Two others, ac- 
 cused of treason, died in prison. Claude Richardet, 
 who had sarcastically told Calvin that the gates of 
 the city were quite wide enough for him to go out at, 
 found them shut against himself, and broke his neck 
 in trying to escape through a window. These awful 
 
CALVIN RECALLED. 
 
 187 
 
 events, and the disturbed condition of public affairs, 
 were the means of gradually leading the people to a 
 better state of mind, and excited an earnest desire 
 for the return of their teachers, who with christian 
 magnanimity had never ceased to show a lively in- 
 terest in the welfare of Geneva. Calvin was fre- 
 quently asked whether he was wiUing to return, but 
 his constant reply was, that as he had been expelled 
 with Farel, it would seem an act of grace rather than 
 of justice, if he were recalled without him. And 
 when at length he received a call, his first question 
 was, why Farel was not united with him in the invit- 
 ation, since his assistance was as necessary' in the 
 restoration of the church as in its first estabhshment. 
 While Calvin was beseeching Farel to counteract the 
 efforts made for his recall, the latter did his utmost 
 in the contrary direction, and urged Calvin bv all 
 means to accept the invitation. "Without doubt," 
 said he, " this call comes from God. The Genevese 
 confess their faults before God ; they acknowledge 
 their neglect of his word, and the ill treatment of his 
 ministers, and the sufferings which have befallen 
 them in consequence, and they are looking for deh- 
 verance by the republication of scriptural truth. God 
 recalls you ; He permitted your expulsion that you 
 might afterv\-ards fiU your oflSce with greater power 
 and authority." 
 
 The chief obstacles to Calvin's return, besides his 
 own reluctance, were, his presence being required at 
 the diet of Worms, and the unwillingness of the 
 
188 
 
 Calvin's return. 
 
 Strasburg people to part with him. Farel urged the 
 churches in Switzerland to apply for liis dismission 
 from Strasburg. " I conjure you, brethren," said he, 
 " if you are christians, and wish to promote the wel- 
 fare of the church, to use every effort in this import- 
 ant affair, lest the wrath of God fall upon us, for 
 betraying the church ; for I cannot regard it as any 
 thing else than treasonable, should any one wish to 
 hinder the restoration to office of pastors who are 
 so much desired. Indifference to the welfare of 
 the most inconsiderable church cannot be justified, 
 much less towards one on which the ruin or salvation 
 of so many depends." 
 
 These appeals of Farel were not in vain, and a 
 second time he gave Calvin to Geneva. The Gene- 
 vese made honourable amends both by word and deed 
 to the expelled ministers, acknowledging their great 
 obligations to them, and declaring that they should 
 be unworthy the name of christians, and could never 
 hope for tranquillity in their state, if they did not en- 
 deavour to remove every ground of offence, and re- 
 store the christian ministiy to its due honour and 
 authority. 
 
 Calvin returned to Geneva alone, his friend Farel 
 being prevented by other pressing engagements from 
 re- introducing him to the church. 
 
 For the purpose of relieving his countrymen from 
 persecution, Farel took a journey to Worms, and 
 solicited in their behalf the aid of the princes and 
 learned men assembled there. He was gratified by 
 
FAREL AT WORMS. 
 
 189 
 
 enjoying the opportunity of becoming acquainted 
 with so many pious and distinguished individuals, 
 whom the Lord had employed in the renovation of 
 the church. He also brought forward the wants of 
 his own church, and obtained from the convocation a 
 decision in favour of a system of ecclesiastical dis- 
 cipline which had been drawn up by Melancthon. 
 
 In consequence of the increasing persecution of the 
 protestants in France, Farel, at the request of Viret, 
 went also as far as Zurich, in the hope of meeting 
 with persons possessed of sufficient influence to check, 
 in some measure, the arbitrary proceedings of the 
 French court. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
 farel's dismission and re-election. 
 
 Farel was still unsuccessful in his attempts to 
 establish church discipline, and to introduce the 
 regulations respecting the celebration of the Lord's 
 supper, which had been agreed upon at Worms. It 
 grieved him exceedingly to be obliged to administer 
 the sacred bread to those of whose faith he had no 
 assurance, and whose sentiments concerning the way 
 of salvation he was not permitted to ascertain. He 
 also observed, that persons in the higher ranks were 
 the most culpable in this respect. They attended to 
 the outward services of religion, but never reduced 
 to practice the truths they heard. 
 
 From the time when he first came to Neufchatel, 
 there was a party strongly opposed to him and to the 
 doctrines he preached. He had succeeded in put- 
 ting down the useless holidays that were spent in 
 idleness and debauchery, as well as the dances, 
 which were for the most part of an objectionable 
 nature, and other irregularities. But to numbers 
 the constraint thus imposed was irksome, and they 
 
FAREL S DISMISSION. 
 
 191 
 
 looked upon the ejectment of Farel as the means of 
 again enjoying their favourite amusements. They 
 eagerly seized on the first opportunity of carrying 
 their wishes into effect ; it was the following : — A 
 female of respectable connexions, having lived for 
 some time on bad terms with her husband, who was 
 universally acknowledged to be a man of integrity, 
 at last entirely left him. As she was the mother of 
 a family, and her character was not altogether above 
 suspicion, this act of separation gave very general 
 offence. Farel first sought by serious, but gentle 
 remonstrances, to bring her back to her duty ; and 
 when these were unavailing, he attempted to influence 
 her by means of her parents, but with no greater 
 success. He then expressed his opinion publicly of 
 such conduct, but without mentioning her name. 
 Indignant at this, she absented herself both from 
 church and the sacrament. Farel, to check so dan- 
 gerous an example, applied to the civil authorities, 
 but they refused to interfere. He then attacked both 
 the senate and congregation from the pulpit, displaved 
 in strong language the enormity of the offence, and 
 declared that such a pest ought not to be tolerated 
 in the church. His sermon had the effect of set- 
 ting in an'ay against him all, both old and young, 
 who had smarted on former occasions under the 
 severity of his rebukes, and in the censure passed 
 on this individual, felt themselves also condemned. 
 No efforts were spared to excite a general commo- 
 tion. The whole city was divided into two parties; 
 
192 
 
 FAREL S DISMISSION 
 
 the one intent upon retaining Farel, the other upon 
 dismissing him. His opponents at last succeeded in 
 gaining a majority for his leaving within two months. 
 The greater part of the senate, and the most respect- 
 able of the inhabitants, were on his side ; but a few 
 persons of rank, including the governor, had in- 
 fluenced the common people, while in a state of 
 sudden excitement, to vote against him. 
 
 The first friend that hastened to console Farel 
 was Calvin, who had just arrived at Soleure on his 
 way to Geneva. No sooner did he hear of the events 
 that had recently transpired, than he set out for 
 Neufchatel, and exerted himself to allay the agitation 
 of the people. Thence he went to Berne, and en- 
 deavoured to interest the senate and the preachers 
 on behalf of his friend and the endangered church. 
 Hans MirabiUs, also, a well disposed individual, in- 
 treated the aid of the Bernese government to quell 
 the discord that prevailed. Two commissioners, the 
 bailiff Von WattenwyU and Michael Augsburger, w^re 
 sent, but it soon became apparent that they were 
 animated by a hatred to Farel. The baihff was at 
 the head of the imperial party in Berne, who adopted 
 Bucer's peculiar sentiments, but showed little or no 
 favour to Farel and Calvin, although they were 
 Bucer's friends. 
 
 Viret first addressed the people of Neufchatel. His 
 speech was so powerful, so encouraging to the well- 
 disposed, so confounding to the malcontents, that it 
 seemed hkely to produce a complete reconciliation 
 
AND RE-ELECTION. 
 
 193 
 
 without the interposition of the Bernese preachers. 
 But the baiUff showed himself little disposed to 
 adopt conciliatory measures. MTien he was re- 
 minded of the sacredness of the call, which had in- 
 duced Farel to remove to Neufchatel, he answered, 
 " Who can compel me to retain a servant, when I am 
 no longer satisfied vrith him?" and repeated this 
 degrading comparison with evident satisfaction. 
 
 The party who were opposed to Farel, succeeded 
 in impressing the deputies from Berne with a 
 strong apprehension of the tumult that would arise 
 in case he should remain, and asserted, that if the 
 dispute were not settled within two months, he 
 would be obhged to obey the decision of the pubhc 
 meeting, and leave the place. Farel repUed, that 
 ha^-ing been accepted by the church, by the church 
 alone would he be dismissed. God had given it into 
 his charge, and would re-demand it at his hands ; that, 
 under such circumstances, he could not leave the 
 congregation without becoming a traitor to Christ 
 and the church ; that no one brought any charge 
 against either his doctrine or his life ; if it could be 
 shown that he was faulty in either, he would not 
 only consent to his dismission, but submit to the 
 severest punishment, even death itself. 
 
 In this affair, the ministers saw the fatal injury 
 that would be inflicted on the pastoral authority if 
 Farel should suffer expulsion by such irregular means. 
 Yet they perceived that no one had the courage to 
 acquaint the Bernese commissioners with the true 
 o 
 
194 
 
 FAREL S DISMISSION 
 
 state of the case. They resolved, therefore, to send 
 two of their number, Thomassin and Le Clerc, 
 the pastors of Comeaux and Neustadt, to Berne, in 
 order to furnish the senate with more complete inform- 
 ation. Nothing, however, was gained by this. The 
 same envoys were once more sent from Berne, and as 
 their former views were rather strengthened than al- 
 tered, they ended their commission by deciding that 
 Farel should only stay two months longer in Neuf- 
 chatel, and then take an amicable leave. 
 
 Farel was decidedly averse to this arrangement. 
 He declared that he would not give way to Satan, 
 and would rather suffer a thousand deaths than en- 
 danger the church by leaving it in such a manner. 
 The envoys reported that he added, that he would not 
 leave, although it should cost lives or bloodshed ; but 
 this statement was denied by his friends. The minis- 
 ters of Neufchatel, finding that the commissioners 
 from Berne threw aU their influence into the scale of 
 Farel's opponents, deputed Einard Pichon to visit the 
 churches at Basle, Strasburg, and other places, and 
 coUect their opinions. Letters were in a short time 
 received from the churches of Geneva, Montbeliard, 
 Biel, Monsee, and Thonon, which were unanimous in 
 supporting Farel's determination not to abandon his 
 post. 
 
 In the midst of all this agitation, Farel maintained 
 the serenity of a suffering christian, and the exer- 
 cise of an activity, which was ever attentive to the 
 wants of others, and neglectful of his own. He wished. 
 
AND RE-ELECTION. 
 
 195 
 
 indeed, that the disorders and e\-ils which had fol- 
 lowed the expulsion of the pastors from Geneva 
 might operate as a warning to the people of Neuf- 
 chatel. But he carefully repressed every personal 
 feeling, and submitted himself to God, and the 
 advice of his brethren in the ministry. " Whether 
 God has resolved," said he, " to retain me here or 
 not, is not what troubles me, for I am prepared for 
 every thing." For all the aspersions that were cast 
 upon his character he was more than recompensed, 
 not only by peace of conscience, but by the esteem in 
 which he was held by the churches, both far and near, 
 the s\Tnpathy of his brethren, the attachment of the 
 good, and the filial regard of those who had been 
 brought by his instrumentahty to a knowledge of the 
 truth. But when he reflected on the injury that 
 would ensue to the church from his expulsion, he 
 suffered more mental agony than Lf he had been 
 obhged to endure a thousand martvTdoms. Yet 
 amidst all he was enabled to say, " God is more 
 powerful in raising me up and strengthening me, 
 than Satan and all his servants in casting me down 
 and discouraging me." 
 
 His courage rose with the dangers of his situation. 
 When that universal scourge, the plague, began to 
 rage at Neufchatel, he acted the part of a most 
 faithful pastor. He daily visited the sick without 
 distinction, relieved the poor, and sought to win his 
 enemies by kindness. Such conduct commanded the 
 respect, even of his bitterest opposers. On account 
 o 2 
 
196 
 
 farel's dismission 
 
 of the peculiar circumstances of the church and the 
 prevaiUng pestilence, a day of humiliation was ap- 
 pointed. Every one partook of the sacrament. The 
 preachers admonished, warned, and reproved the 
 people. The loss that menaced the church, the near 
 approach of death, and the example of their devoted 
 pastor softened the hardest hearts, and opened the 
 prospect of a general reconciliation. 
 
 Meanwhile Einard faithfully fulfilled his commis- 
 sion, and was every where received with mingled feel- 
 ings of pleasure and regret. He found but one 
 opinion respecting Farel's learning, character, worth, 
 and sufferings in behalf of the church. The churches, 
 in various places, cheerfully complied with the wishes 
 of the Neufchatel clergy, and prevailed on their res- 
 pective senates to use their influence with the Ber- 
 nese in favour of Farel and his friends. 
 
 The people of Basle addressed a letter to the minis- 
 ters, the senate, and the whole congregation of 
 Neufchatel. They expressed their grief and astonish- 
 ment on hearing of their divisions, since they had 
 supposed that they were in a flourishing state, under 
 the guidance of that skilful and pious pastor from 
 whom they had first received the lessons of heavenly 
 wisdom. They asked them, whether it had not been 
 their own vnsh that the gospel should be preached to 
 them, without limitations and restrictions. " But," 
 they added, " did not self-denial, the renunciation of 
 the world, and victory over Satan, belong to the 
 preaching of salvation, every reasonable man, not 
 
AND RE-ELECTION. 
 
 197 
 
 to say every christian, must admit, that, in order 
 to improve the people, their teachers must have 
 the power of punishing scandalous hvers." They 
 might read in the Scriptures, that the Holy Spirit 
 reproves men for their iniquities. " But a faithful 
 pastor is an instrument of the Holy Spirit, and 
 proves his fidelity by driving away the wolf from the 
 Qock. Can a true member of your church," said they, 
 " be so dull of hearing as not to hear the voice of the 
 shepherd, or so forgetful of the shepherd's duty as to 
 take iU his serious warnings, or to wish, on acccount 
 of them, to drive the shepherd away ? Are there such 
 persons among you Then there is reason to mourn 
 over their backsliding, and their leaving the kingdom 
 of light for the kingdom of darkness. In the early 
 ages of the church, it was warmly debated, whether 
 the lapsed (or those who had abjured the profession 
 of Christianity, and gone back to heathenism) could 
 be received again into the church, on account of the 
 greatness of their sin ; but the mercy of God is great, 
 and he will have compassion, even on such, if they 
 return to him." But should it be otherwise, should 
 they persist in expelling Farel, and seek out for a 
 preacher who, so far from being a Farel, would only 
 prophesy smooth things, then greater unhappiness 
 would surely ensue, and the infernal sorcerer would 
 sow the seeds of discord among them. Since it was 
 the united wish of all the preachers to maintain Farel 
 in his office, on account of his learning and piety, 
 they should take care, lest their unanimity should be 
 
198 
 
 FAREL S DISMISSION 
 
 broken, for that would realize a favourite device of 
 Satan. They might easily imagine what the papists 
 would say on such an occasion. In Neufchatel they 
 would fain be evangehcal, and yet cannot endure 
 Farel ! In what way must the gospel be fashioned 
 in order to please them ? They wish, perhaps, only 
 a dead Christ, not a living one, not one who enhvens 
 by the Holy Spirit, or, in other words, a gospel with- 
 out repentance. It is clear what doctrine will suit 
 men of the world, namely, such as allows them to 
 live according to their own self-will and lusts, in the 
 vain conceit that, since Christ has suffered for sin, 
 every one may do as he likes best. Despisers of the 
 gospel will continually be disseminating errors, against 
 which pious preachers must both speak and act. But 
 ye valiant men ! ye true shepherds ! by aU the means 
 in your power prevent such reproach from being 
 chargeable on your city, which you cannot permit 
 without great damage to your own souls. And all 
 of you, who would be guiltless in this affair, pray to 
 the God of peace, that, according to his grace, he 
 would heal your divisions, and grant that his gospel 
 may be pubhshed among you to his glory, even to 
 the end of time. Leave nothing undone which may 
 contribute to reconciliation. Endeavour to win over 
 your enemies by persuasion ; spare no kind words ; 
 exert all your powers to bring peace hither, and, un- . 
 der its shadow, the free preaching of the gospel ; for, 
 where freedom is wanting, not the gospel, but hypo- 
 crisy and falsehood, will be preached." 
 
AND RE-ELECTION. 
 
 199 
 
 The Strasburgers expressed, through Bucer, their 
 sorrow on account of the recent events. They dwelt 
 on the great services of Farel to Neufchatel, the 
 unanimity which prevailed at his first coming, the 
 purity of his doctrine, and the spotless integrity of 
 his life, from which even his enemies could not with- 
 hold their admiration. " How comes it to pass," 
 said they, " that you, we do not say reject, but suffer 
 to leave you, an individual whom not men, but Christ, 
 has sent for the promotion of your salvation } How 
 is it that you, we would not say discharge, but allow 
 to be snatched away from you, the very founder of 
 your regeneration?" Perhaps they were offended, 
 the letter proceeded to say, with the vehemence of 
 his reproofs ; but he only reproved that which the 
 Holy Ghost in the Scriptures declares worthy of 
 eternal death, which is contrary to God, shuts out 
 from his kingdom, and leads to hell. " Should not 
 the wounds which a pastor so loving and desirous of 
 your salvation, inflicts, be more agreeable to you than 
 the flattering speeches of those who connive at your 
 vices ? With sin, indeed, we may be angry, but not 
 with its punishment, however bitter it may be. The 
 one leads to condemnation, the other to deUverance." 
 They added, perhaps they might reply, that the ma- 
 jority among them acknowledged, and would gladly 
 •retain their father and teacher, but that, since some 
 could not endure his sharp reproofs, they must make 
 a sacrifice to the peace of the church, and the quiet of 
 the community. What peace ? What quiet ? In 
 
200 
 
 FAREL S DISMISSION 
 
 neither church nor state can peace be maintained in 
 which the ministers of that true peace which we have 
 with God, through Christ, are not duly esteemed. 
 But some will say, that those who have engaged 
 servants may also turn them away. But Farel's being 
 placed among them was evidently of God ; and if they 
 would not look at the higher appointment of the 
 Holy Ghost, let them remember Farel's election by 
 the ministers of the gospel, the two councils, and the 
 whole church. They had not hired him as a merce- 
 nary, whom they might discharge at pleasure, but he 
 had been sought for, called, and chosen by all classes, 
 to be a teacher and father; a choice approved by 
 Christ and the Holy Spirit. His office was too sacred 
 to be at the arbitrary disposal of turbulent men. Is 
 it seemly that the sheep should bring the shepherd to 
 account, or children their father, even if they think 
 he has punished them somewhat too severely ? "If 
 hitherto you have withstood the tyranny of antichrist, 
 and not deserted the kingdom of the Lord ; if you 
 have not dismissed the servants of the truth in order 
 to please any of your princes, why do you now show 
 such inconsiderate deference to some factious spirits 
 whom you might so easily repress ?" In conclusion, 
 they declared that they wrote not from an apprehen- 
 sion lest the people of Neufchatel should withdraw 
 their confidence from Farel, and dismiss their faithful 
 minister, but in order to strengthen them stedfastly 
 to withstand those who wished that Farel should 
 connive at their irregularities. 
 
AND RE-ELECTION. 
 
 201 
 
 In Constance, Einard met w ith a cordial reception ; 
 his request was granted, and he was furnished with 
 the warmest recommendations to Zurich. Blaaren 
 and his colleagues were fully of opinion that it would 
 be a bad example for the whole evangeUcal church, 
 if so distinguished a preacher of the gospel as Farel 
 should succumb to the audacious intrigues of a few 
 who ought to be at once put down. The people of 
 Basle and Strasburg mingled with their expressions 
 of sympathy, exhortations to the greatest moderation 
 and patience, lest the good should be involved in the 
 too severe punishment of the bad. In the existing 
 relaxation of discipline, they wished the means that 
 still remained for maintaining good order to be so em- 
 ployed that the offenders might respect their minis- 
 ters, even as a vicious son respects a virtuous father, 
 whom he ventures not to disobey though he loves 
 him not. 
 
 Calvin also admonished, comforted, and encou- 
 raged his friends. " Sinceit is theLord's will," said he, 
 " to exercise us in his service, and to allow us no rest, 
 we must strive as vaUant and stedfast men, but only 
 with the weapons which he permits us to use. Under 
 his protection, we shall be sure of victor)-. Through 
 the moderation that you now show, many hearts will 
 be softened and become contrite. Should all things 
 proceed as you wish, endeavour by all means to heal 
 the wounds that have been inflicted. It will be a 
 most delightful victory, if Satan and the abettors of 
 these disturbances should find themselves forsaken 
 
202 farel's dismission 
 
 by their followers." With the hke feeUngs of love 
 and sorrow, the inhabitants of Zurich regretted 
 the constant attempts of the enemies of the gospel 
 to loosen the bond of union, well knowing that 
 on the oneness and unanimity of the brethren, the 
 strength of trae religion depended. They addressed 
 Farel in the first place, to point out what the Lord 
 required of him, the feeding of his flock with the 
 word of truth and life, the publishing of repentance 
 according to the doctrine of Christ, or the exhibition, 
 accusation, and condemnation of sin and vice, that 
 vices may not come into vogue under the appearance 
 of virtues, and thus cease to be objects of disgrace. 
 "This cannot be eiFected," they remarked, "by smooth 
 and flowery language, but by the plain seriousness of 
 a teacher who calls sin and vice by their proper 
 names. Hatred and persecution, it is true, may arise 
 from administering reproof, as the Lord and his 
 apostles foretold and experienced ; but they who 
 suffer in this cause shall be especially beloved by their I 
 Lord, and must not, on account of their sufferings, 
 desert their charge. Wherefore, persevere in the 
 service to which you are called ; pray to the Lord, 
 the Author and Friend of peace, that he would bring 
 back the wandering sheep, and inchne them to submit 
 to discipline and the means of grace. This is your 
 duty, good shepherd ! and if you fulfil it conscien- 
 tiously, Satan, who has for a time had the advantage, 
 will soon be crushed under you." 
 
 To the ministers, they said, " Ye are the salt of the 
 
AND RE-ELECTION. 
 
 203 
 
 earth. Consider what is likely to ensue, if, in your 
 present circumstances, you are foolish, imprudent, 
 and weak. Salt preserves from corruption by its 
 sharpness. Do you preser\-e your church and your 
 office (which are entrusted to you by God) by inno- 
 cence, wisdom, prudence, and diligence. Your office 
 becomes powerless, if Farel is banished on account of 
 his plain dealing ; your church will enjoy no security 
 without an able minister of the word, armed with a 
 heroic disposition. No one is so well quahfied as 
 Farel : he is pious, blameless, circumspect, unassum- 
 ing, full of courage, learned, and exceedingly elo- 
 quent ; a father rich in experience, the reformer of 
 your church ; a true apostle, who bears on his body 
 the marks of the wounds he has received in the cause 
 of Christ ; stedfast, and in the greatest conflicts the 
 victorious preacher and confessor of the truth. Hence 
 his christian reputation and fame has spread far and 
 wide throughout Germany. You must not allow so 
 deser^-ing a man to be expelled causelessly and un- 
 heard. With your assent he was called, and installed 
 into his office ; and without you he cannot be de- 
 prived of it." 
 
 They proceeded to warn the council, by various so- 
 lemn quotations from the prophets, not to involve 
 themselves in a contest which hindered the ser\'ants 
 of God in the publication of the truth. It should be 
 the care of the magistracy to lend a helping hand to 
 the preachers, so that they may be able, without mo- 
 lestation, to admonish sinners, and punish evil-doers. 
 
204 farel's dismission 
 
 None of them would endure dissoluteness in his 
 own house, and shall the pastors appointed by God 
 permit such practices in the church ? 
 
 Lastly, the Zurichers directed their exhortations 
 to the church ; that they should acknowledge with 
 thanks to God their having met with such a shep- 
 herd. Certainly they would be very unfortunate, if 
 they had teachers such as many of them wished. 
 But " Farel is a father full of holy zeal towards his 
 children, straightforward in his actions, and unused 
 to flatter and to smooth matters over. Whatever may 
 have been done from passion and prejudice, we en- 
 treat you, by the infinite love of Christ and his bitter 
 death, to lay aside evil passions — give no room to 
 Satan — forgive one another your faults, and be re- 
 conciled to each other, and to your faithful teacher." 
 The epistle concluded with the words of Paul, Phil. ii. 
 1—4. 
 
 The last place visited by Einard was Berne, where 
 he met with Conz, who made ample amends to Farel 
 for his former ill behaviour. He not only introduced 
 Einard to the senate, but spoke in strong terms of 
 the danger to which the discipline of the church was 
 exposed, and the importance of preserving Farel from 
 being expelled by a licentious faction. 
 
 Both at Neufchatel and Berne, these various let- 
 ters, especially those from Zurich, produced a very 
 beneficial effect. Farel felt his resolution strengthened, 
 and only wished that his character might correspond 
 •more exactly to the favourable representations that 
 
AND RE-ELECTION. 205 
 
 had been given of it. When Einard returned, the 
 allotted period of two months had expired. Tlie two 
 councils met, but in consequence of the small num- 
 ber present, merely resolved, that a meeting of the 
 congregation should be convened for the Sunday 
 following. In consequence of the letters from Zurich, 
 the senate of Berne sent for Farel by a special courier. 
 At first they proposed that he should tender his re- 
 signation; but on his showing them, in a serious 
 and conclusive address, that the point on which he 
 had made a stand was a matter of conscience, and 
 that, having been duly and legally called, he could not 
 give up his office without another call equally clear, 
 which he would readily obey, were it to preach the 
 gospel to the Turks at his own charge, the senate 
 wrote to the council of Neufchatel, that their senti- 
 ments had been misconstrued by Farel's opponents ; 
 that in reality they never wished him to leave at the 
 expiration of two months, but had held out that time 
 as the duration of his stay, for the purpose of calm- 
 ing the popular excitement. They further declared, 
 that nothing could be more agreeable to them than 
 that such a teacher should be retained for promot- 
 ing the welfare of the church, who had always 
 laboured in the Lord's \-ineyard with the strictest 
 fidelity and conscientiousness. This commvmication 
 was received by the whole congregation with great 
 applause, the previous decision was annulled, a re- 
 conciliation pronounced, and a fine was appointed to 
 be paid by all those who should annoy others on 
 
 I 
 
206 
 
 farkl's dismission 
 
 account of this affair. The council sent intelligence 
 of this decision to Berne ; a few individuals alone 
 wished to wait for the governor's return, and left the 
 council dissatisfied when their wish was not com- 
 plied with. 
 
 It was hoped that this affair had at last reached a 
 happy termination ; but the governor, who, from the 
 first, had been the prime mover in the disturbance, 
 now returned, and gathered around him the remnant 
 of the faction. New intrigues were set on foot, and 
 confiding in the aid of Berne, the malcontents re- 
 sorted thither, and brought back a document in their 
 favour, subscribed by sixty burgesses. 
 
 To investigate the matter, a fresh deputation, con- 
 sisting of Rudolph von Erlach and James Tribolet, 
 was sent fi-om Berne. The envoys minutely ful- 
 filled their duty, and gave a faithful report ; after 
 which Farel was once more called to Berne, together 
 with deputies from both parties. As they could not 
 agree, it was resolved, that in eight days the sense 
 of the majority should be taken, unless a recon- 
 ciliation were effected in the interval. Twelve indi- 
 viduals on each side attempted to settle matters ; but 
 failing to do so, the sense of the people was taken in 
 the presence of the Bernese envoys, who promised to 
 guarantee the decision. Two-thirds of the assembly 
 voted for Farel. The weU-disposed rejoiced in the 
 result, and perceived in it " the finger of God," while 
 their opponents were reduced to silence. Farel's 
 friends exhorted him afresh to prudence and mode- 
 
AND RE-ELECTION. 
 
 207 
 
 ration; not that they considered him destitute of 
 those quahties, but that he might be the more upon 
 his guard not to give his enemies the least pretext 
 for calumny. In a few months every vestige of the 
 disturbance was removed, and complete harmony re- 
 estabhshed. Farel being now re-appointed for life, 
 fervently thanked God for rescuing his church, and 
 endeavoured to employ all his powers in promoting 
 its prosperity. 
 
 Scarcely had peace been restored, when Farel re- 
 paired to Geneva, where he witnessed with astonish- 
 ment the changes effected by the united labours of 
 Calvin and Viret. After their expulsion, such was 
 the increase of licentiousness, that only a few persons 
 remained uncorrupted ; but they formed the stock on 
 which the new grafts were inserted. It was by 
 almost incredible efforts, under which others would 
 have sunk, that these two individuals succeeded in 
 giving a new form to the ruined church. 
 
 Dmnng the time of the dispute between Farel and 
 the people of Neufchatel, the committee of ministers 
 belonging to that place were employed in framing a 
 new system of ecclesiastical regulations, intended to 
 define and establish the duties and rights of the 
 preachers. Elders and deacons were to be chosen ; 
 the instruction of children on Sundays, the public 
 confirmation of those who had been duly instructed, 
 and the extension of schools, were proposed. No 
 one was to be confined by illness more than three 
 days without informing his pastor. The ministers 
 
208 farel's dismission and re-election. 
 
 were to have at all times access to the prisons. Who- 
 ever absented himself from public worship, either 
 from contempt or self-indulgence, was first to be 
 reminded in a friendly manner, and after the third 
 admonition, to be excluded from the sacrament. 
 Without permission of the magistracy, no stranger 
 could have the marriage ceremony performed. Weekly 
 meetings of the clergy were to be held, chiefly to pro- 
 mote unanimity in doctrine. The censorship exer- 
 cised by the ministers over each other, was defined 
 with great exactness. As to their life and doctrine, 
 the Scriptures were made the standard of appeal. 
 Circumstances rendered it necessary that the examin- 
 ation, calling, and choice of preachers should be 
 conducted according to the manner already introduced. 
 In drawing up these articles, and others relating to 
 public worship and the administration of the sacra- 
 ments, regard was paid to the practice of other 
 churches, and to the opinions of Melancthon, Calvin, 
 and Bucer. 
 
CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 FAREL IN METZ CAROLl's LAST INTRIGUES. 
 
 The great opposition which the preaching of the gos- 
 pel had experienced in Metz, from the time of its first 
 introduction, was not able to suppress the attachment 
 to it felt by many of the inhabitants. Yet several 
 attempts to establish the Reformation had failed, 
 owing to the aversion of the clergy and the majority 
 of the senate and nobility. A more favourable period 
 seemed now to have arrived ; some of the Dominicans 
 had begun to preach evangelically, and Caspar Von 
 Huy filled the highest civic office, that of Echevin. 
 This individual and his brother had permitted the 
 gospel to be preached on their estates, where multi- 
 tudes assembled to hear it. In order to introduce it 
 into the town, a union with the Smalcald confederacy 
 was attempted, and means were taken to obtain a 
 zealous preacher. A call was given to James Gallus, 
 minister of Morsee, who was, however, deficient in 
 one essential quaUfication for so arduous a post ; that 
 christian fortitude which would brave all dangers, 
 even death itself. In this critical juncture, Farel 
 p 
 
^ JIO 
 
 "'SWarel in metz. 
 
 resolved to make the attempt himself, and was encou- 
 raged by Calvin, who beheved that no person was so 
 fit for the undertaking as his experienced and daunt- 
 less friend, richly endowed, as he appeared to be, 
 with the Spirit and power of the Lord. 
 
 Farel arrived at Metz in September, and preached 
 his first sermon in the churchyard of the Domini- 
 cans. To prevent his being heard, they caused all 
 the bells to be tolled, but his voice of thunder over- 
 powered the sound. The next day he had above three 
 thousand hearers, so desirous were the people to re- 
 ceive the word of God. His public preaching, and 
 still more his administration of baptism without the 
 observance of popish ceremonies, excited great atten- 
 tion. In order to prevent a disturbance, the most 
 respectable friends of the gospel and Von Huy be- 
 sought him to discontinue preaching tiU circumstances 
 became more favourable. He was suddenly summoned 
 before the senate, and asked by whose authority he 
 preached? He answered, " By the authority of Christ, 
 and at the request of his members," whom he would 
 not name. He then addressed the senate with great 
 earnestness on the ministerial office, and reminded 
 them of their duty as christian magistrates in reference 
 to the free publication of the gospel. During the deh- 
 berations of the senate, his friends led him away, and 
 conducted a man who resembled him in figure and 
 dress out of the town, in order that by this deception 
 he might escape further examination. Soon after this, 
 the Echevin would gladly have procured him a church 
 
KAREL IN METZ. 
 
 211 
 
 to preach in, but even his own brother opposed it. 
 The plague, however, which just at this time broke 
 out in a dreadful manner, allowed full scope to Farel's 
 pious activity, and gave occasion to a noble display 
 of his intrepidity and zeal. He found access to many 
 houses which before would have been shut against 
 him, and carried the consolations of religion to the 
 bedsides of the sick and the dying. Still he met 
 with opposition from the civil authorities. A deputa- 
 tion from the reformed confederate cantons was not 
 even aUowed to enter the city. The senate subjected 
 to a fine any one who should presume to visit Farel, 
 and an imperial mandate against evangelical preaching 
 was posted up, which was pulled down by the children. 
 At last, persecution actually commenced. 
 
 On acquainting the ministers with his dangerous 
 situation, and requesting their interference, they re- 
 solved upon sending one of their number to Metz. 
 Farel's brother Claudius also hastened, by way of 
 Strasburg, to his support. Tossanus would have joined 
 them, but could not procure leave of absence from the 
 Duke of Wirtemberg. 
 
 Farel perceived among the friends of the gospel at 
 Metz a spirit of anxious foreboding, and a disposition 
 :o trust rather in the calculations of human pru- 
 lence than in the providence of God. Many dreaded 
 :he loss of reputation, and persecution. In vain he 
 )ointed out the necessity of keeping God and his com- 
 j nandments alone in view, without being harassed by 
 .he devices of Satan, or the intrigues of his servants. 
 p2 
 
212 
 
 FAREL IN METZ. 
 
 In vain he declared that God had never forsaken a 
 government which had in real earnest sought the spi- 
 ritual welfare of the people. The senate would not 
 listen to the request of a majority of the people, to 
 allow the word of God to he preached freely. The 
 canons spread a report that Farel wished to overthrow 
 the civil authorities, and destroy the church ; and by 
 their misrepresentations urged some persons to make 
 an attempt upon his hfe, which, however, they aban- 
 doned, on witnessing his exemplary conduct, and his 
 efforts to promote, by his preaching, the interests oi 
 truth and hohness. 
 
 Whilst a deputation of the evangelical party went 
 with the Echevin at their head to Metz, it was deemed 
 advisable that Farel should retire to the neighbouring 
 town of Gorze, under the protection of Count Wil- 
 liam of Fiirstenberg. It was either on his departure 
 from Metz, or when he appeared before the senate, 
 that he forewarned the people, that they would ere 
 long feel the tyrant's rod, and lose that liberty which 
 they were so much afraid of losing in the event of 
 their receiving the gospel ; a warning which subse- 
 quent events fuUy verified. 
 
 At Gorze he was not inactive, but preached alter- 
 nately in the parish church and in the abbey chapel. 
 On one occasion, he publicly contradicted Fidelis, a 
 Franciscan friar, for which he was furiously attacked 
 by the women in the congregation, and so roughly 
 handled as to be obhged to keep his room for some 
 time. With this exception, he preached indefatigably 
 and without interruption till Easter. 
 
FAREL IN METZ. 
 
 213 
 
 Having been accused to the Duke of Lorraine as a 
 disturber of the public peace, he addressed a letter to 
 him, in which he ably vindicated his own character 
 and the general principles of the Reformation. 
 
 He commenced his letter with observing, " that 
 honouring magistracy as the ordinance of God, he had 
 always set himself against those who refused to obey 
 the civil powers and to pay taxes, as was the practice 
 of the Anabaptists and the Popish clergy. No go- 
 vernor had ever been deposed who obeyed the Divine 
 word, but only such as renounced its authority and 
 gave themselves up to idolatry ; this might be proved 
 from sacred history. Wherever he had preached the 
 gospel, he had never opposed the magistracy. But 
 worse than the charge of sedition was that of subvert- 
 ing the faith and Divine worship, of dishonouring the 
 Virgin Mary and the saints, and violating all the or- 
 dinances of the christian church. He acknowledged 
 and taught no faith but that which was grounded on 
 the word of God, that men should confess themselves 
 to be poor lost sinners, and, filled with self-reproach 
 for their sins, have recourse to the mercy of God, in 
 dependance on Jesus, to obtain grace and pardon. He 
 then described this faith in the Redeemer, and his 
 work of salvation, by which eternal life is procured for 
 men. Without attempting to form a party or new 
 sect, he had constantly exhorted his hearers to follow 
 Jesus, the good Shepherd. All agreed, that the true 
 church could never be better administered than in the 
 times of the apostles, and he could call God to witness 
 
•214 
 
 FAREL IN METZ. 
 
 that his zealous endeavour had been to approach as 
 near as possible to the primitive chiu-ch, in soundness 
 of doctrine, purity of life, and the regular administra- 
 tion of the sacraments. He need not enter more 
 minutely into the subject, since the regulations of the 
 evangelical party were in eveiy one's hands. He then 
 brought home the charge of insubordination to those 
 who called themselves, to the exclusion of all others, 
 the church; priests, monks, and crowds of ecclesi- 
 astics, who, claiming exemption from the civil powers, 
 refused to pay taxes, released subjects from their al- 
 legiance, and seduced them to rebellion and perjury ; 
 all against the express commands of God. Thus po- 
 pery inflicted the greatest injury on the bodies and 
 the souls, the reputation and the property of men. 
 None had occasioned more hatred and bloodshed or 
 shov^^l greater rapacity, than the pope and his agents, 
 who were continuaUy fishing in troubled waters, as 
 princes everywhere, and especially those of Germany, 
 could testify. He described in pathetic language the 
 corruption of the evangelical doctrine by the papists, 
 by confounding faith and works, and passing over as 
 insignificant the justification of the sinner, in order to 
 gain credit to their own fancies, and to give to human 
 inventions the authority of Divine commands. No 
 human tongue could express the profanation of Divine 
 things, and the disgraceful traffic they carried on with 
 the Virgin Mary and the saints. He said this was not 
 out of hatred or envy, for he wished evil to no man, 
 and, for the salvation of a fellow- creature, would will- 
 
FAREL IN METZ. 
 
 215 
 
 ingly sacrifice his life, and therefore would say no 
 more respecting these immoral, blinded, ignorant 
 people, but commend them to the mercy of God. 
 But he could not easily withdraw his eyes from the 
 corrupt condition of the church. " Where," he said, 
 " are the faithful shepherds ? Where are the evan- 
 gelists who proclaim in its purity the holy doctrine of 
 Jesus ? WTiere is the wholesome discipline of the 
 church } Who has the wisdom and sagacity sufficient 
 to reform the church ? The greater part pray like 
 apes, who move the lips without knowing the mean- 
 ing of the sounds they utter. Alas ! the misery is 
 great and indescribable ; and it is especially to be 
 regretted that no one has compassion on the poor, 
 misguided souls for whom Christ died." He then 
 proceeded to notice the perversion of the Lord's sup- 
 per ; that a new sacrifice and rite was established, in- 
 stead of a feast of commemoration and thanksgiving. 
 " Many original regulations of the church," he re- 
 marked, " such as catechising, the election, induc- 
 tion and laying on of hands of pastors, and the 
 visitation of the sick, have fallen into disuse, or lost 
 their original character ; while marriage, which is or- 
 dained by God, has been dishonoured, and impurity 
 encouraged through the celibacy of the papists. Of 
 all that the Scripture commands they teach the oppo- 
 site, and yet pretend that it is enjoined by an infalli- 
 ble church, and that the pope holds the keys of the 
 kingdom of heaven. Should any one attempt to 
 maintain the truth, he is treated as a heretic worthy 
 
216 
 
 FAREL IN METZ. 
 
 of the flames, and even the Bible is denounced as a 
 source of heresy. Aware that they are spiritually 
 weak and abandoned by God, they commit their cause 
 to the protection of the civil power, and to the advo- 
 cacy of that irrefragable doctor, the executioner, 
 against whom nothing can be said, since he silences 
 heretics by cutting out their tongues, or by fire and 
 sword closes their lips for ever." After he had 
 spoken of the Holy Scriptures, and of the benefits that 
 would result both to princes and people, from an ac- 
 quaintance with them, and answered the objection, 
 that it would dispose them to neglect sermons or to 
 separate themselves from the church, he added ; " It 
 is indeed a great comfort to sincere behevers to find 
 again in the Scriptures that which they have heard 
 preached, or to hear that which they have read in the 
 sacred volume, faithfully announced by the preacher." 
 After such statements and arguments, he earnestly re- 
 quested the Duke to call on the friends of popery and 
 their opponents, that, seeking the glory of the Lord 
 and the welfare of their brethren, they might ami- 
 cably confer on the doctrines they held in common, and 
 on the points in which they differed, in his presence, 
 and then adopting the Scriptures as their standard, 
 renounce everything which was opposed to the -will 
 of God, and destructive to the souls of men. When 
 he had endeavoured to excite the Duke to promote 
 the Reformation in his own dominions, he concluded 
 with saying ; " That all this may be efi'ected for the 
 establishment of truth and suppression of falsehood. 
 
FAREL IN METZ. 
 
 217 
 
 I would gladly risk my life, without wishing that any 
 other person should suffer any bodily harm or loss of 
 property, so that all may sers-e the Lord." 
 
 Though Farel maintained throughout this letter a 
 conciliator)' and respectful tone, no favourable im- 
 pression appears to have been made on the Duke or any 
 branches of his family, who indeed always ranked among 
 the most inveterate enemies of the Reformation. 
 
 The evangelical party at Metz sought to be received 
 into the Smalcald confederacy, but even Luther him- 
 self found his efforts on their behalf fruitless. All 
 that the combined influence of the reformed princes 
 was able to obtain for them, was liberty of preaching, 
 without the power of administering the sacraments. 
 In consequence, many persons from Metz repaired at 
 Easter, to Gorze, to celebrate the Lord's supper. 
 Scarcely was the communion over when they were 
 alarmed by the sound of war-trumpets. At the insti- 
 gation of the cardinal of Lorraine, his brother Clau- 
 dius Duke of Guise, with the approbation of the king 
 of France, fell upon this innocent people. Many 
 were put to the sword, and others drowned in at- 
 tempting to escape. Farel was wounded. He and 
 Count WilUam were especially sought for, and with 
 great diflficulty took refuge in the castle. His friends 
 were under great apprehensions on his account, for 
 some time elapsed before it was known what had 
 become of him. When complaints of this outrage 
 were made to the king of France and the senate of 
 Metz, they only made an evasive reply, without 
 
218 
 
 CAROLl's LAST INTRIGUES. 
 
 making any attempt to bring the offenders to justice. 
 By the orders of Count William, Farel and others of 
 the wounded, were conveyed on litters, not without 
 considerable risk, to Strasburg. 
 
 In order to weaken Farel's usefulness and influence 
 in Metz, Peter Caroli was sent thither by the Duke 
 of Orleans. Tliis man gladly seized the opportunity 
 of wreaking his resentment on Farel ; he denounced 
 him as the worst of heretics, and rendered him sus- 
 pected by the senate in reference to the doctrine of 
 the sacrament. Favoured by the clergy and the se- 
 nate, his arrogance rose to such a pitch, that he des- 
 patched a formal challenge to Farel, at Strasburg, to 
 dispute with him, and stake their lives on the result. 
 In the church of St. Vincent, he summoned him to 
 appear before the pope, or the council of Trent, or 
 the emperor of Germany and the king of France, or 
 before the divines of the French universities, or at 
 Salamanca or Ahala in Spain, should he not be able 
 to come to France ; and, lastly, if these cities were 
 too remote for him, to meet him at Louvain or Padua. 
 He demanded an answer in eight days, and in case 
 of his dechning to appear, threatened to brand him 
 everywhere as a cowardly heretic and schismatic. 
 He repeated this challenge in somewhat different 
 terms, proposing that they should both be put under 
 arrest, himself at Metz, and Farel in the hands of 
 the king of France. 
 
 Farel rephed immediately, and asked — Who had 
 authorized him to cite him before the pope, for whom 
 
CAROLI S LAST INTRIGUES. 
 
 219 
 
 he cared not, since he was the declared opponent of his 
 Lord and Master, Jesus. He also doubted, whether 
 he was commissioned to dispute with him by the mo- 
 narchs whose names he had made use of, who would 
 have chosen persons more considerable than either 
 himself or Caroli for such a purpose. Yet he was ready 
 to defend the doctrines he had preached before all 
 men, even those of the highest rank, should God call 
 him to do so, without putting any other man's life in 
 peril, though he would submit to any punishment 
 himself, if it could be shown that he had not preached 
 christian truth. They were not, he said, either of 
 them rich enough to travel to Spain or Venice ; but 
 they could meet in Metz ; and if Caroli had not suf- 
 ficient influence to have a disputation appointed where 
 he was at present preaching, how could he accomphsh 
 it in a place where he was unknown ? Impartial 
 judges might be chosen there from each party, and he 
 wo\ild be ready to appear at any hour. After having 
 exposed the ridiculous nature of his proposal to dispute 
 with each other under arrest, he said, " I have never 
 sought your favour, or that of your friends, nor do I 
 heed what they say ; but I seek the favour of my Re- 
 deemer, and in attending to his voice, I find my con- 
 solation." At the close, he reminds Caroli of death 
 and eternity, and says, " Poor man ! what wiU you 
 do ? Why torment yourself, and act against the 
 con\"ictions of your conscience ? I know well, that 
 your grievously deceived wife and children lie a 
 heavy weight upon your heart, and that all you have 
 
220 CAROLl's LAST INTRIGUES. 
 
 peqietrated against God and his servants will return 
 upon your own head. You are now presumptuously 
 seeking to exalt yourself, but you will fall to the ground, 
 and come to nought. Your execrable ambition ! — 
 will it never have an end ?" 
 
 In order to counteract Caroli's garbled and erro- 
 neous accounts of the former disputations, Farel sent 
 for the original documents, and published an apology 
 in the form of an epistle, addressed to all his brethren 
 in the faith. His friends manifested the greatest 
 sympathy for him by consolatory and encouraging 
 letters, and the cities which had been the scenes of 
 his labours, Strasburg, Geneva, and Berne, interfered 
 warmly on his behalf. 
 
 Caroli having sent a letter to Strasburg, which 
 seemed to indicate somewhat greater discretion, Farel 
 once more expressed his sentiments and wishes re- 
 specting him. He reproved him severely for having 
 professed before the senate that he came to Metz in 
 the name of God, since his conscience would best tell 
 him what corrupt motives had brought him thither. 
 " You came to Metz," said he, " to labour against God 
 and to do the works of your father who is a liar, for 
 the ruin of the true church of Christ ; and yet you 
 presume to say, that you came in consequence of being 
 moved by God to suppress that holy doctrine which 
 I preach." He described, in strong language, the 
 whole course of his life, since he had been aiming to 
 grasp the mitre; the vices he had practised, or of which 
 he had boasted, the innocent blood which had been 
 
CAROLl's LAST INTRIGUES. 221 
 
 shed by his means, his calumnies against the servants 
 of God and the reformed churches, the adulteries he 
 had committed, his repeated disgraceful declarations 
 concerning marriage, his wife, and children, &c., and 
 forewarned him of the Divine judgment if he persisted 
 in his evil practices. He noticed very shghtly the 
 personal insults he had received from him. " If I am 
 rightly informed, you have publicly declared that I 
 am the greatest heretic that the world has ever seen. 
 Might it please om- Lord that I could in truth say, 
 you are the most faithful and pious servant of God 
 that ever appeared ! Truth is not to be propagated 
 by falsehood. Go uprightly to work : do not ca- 
 lumniate those of whom your own conscience tells 
 you that they deserve praise, persons who wish that 
 the pure word of God, the proper administration of 
 the sacraments, and all that our Lord has ordained, 
 may be duly appreciated in his church. You are 
 well aware that such sentiments are not admitted in 
 those churches which are still under the tyranny of 
 the pope. Is not the truth sufficiently powerful to 
 maintain itself, andto destroy falsehood universally ? 
 I do not dispute for the sake of being victorious, nor 
 am I concerned at being overcome. My only anxiety 
 is, that truth may gain the victoiy. For I cannot 
 gain a more glorious victory than when truth is ac- 
 knowledged and received, that is, when Jesus is 
 acknowledged and received, and Satan with his de- 
 ceptions is unmasked and cast out . " He then besought 
 him to retrace his steps, and to employ the good gifts 
 
222 
 
 CAROLl's LAST INTRIGCES. 
 
 which God had bestowed upon him, to his glon^ He 
 expressed his readiness to hold a friendly conference 
 with him, and thus to restore tranquillity to the agi- 
 tated people of Metz. His feelings kindling at the 
 prospect of the happy consequences of CaroU's yield- 
 ing to his expostulation, he exclaimed, " Oh, what 
 riches, what joys, what blessings wovdd pour down 
 upon us ! Oh that I were annihilated, and that the 
 Lord Jesus had taken possession of every heart ! 
 Oh, if such a holy church were built up before my 
 eyes, I would not only regard it as my greatest hap- 
 piness to stand as a doorkeeper at the gate of the 
 sanctuary, but even to be a servant of its meanest 
 servants : I woidd esteem this lowly condition more 
 highly than if I possessed all the riches of the 
 world, all kingly power and dignity, and yet were 
 excluded from such holy society! O, Caroh! in 
 the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has so 
 often called and waited for you, have compassion 
 on the souls he has so dearly purchased! Think 
 of what ■ you will gain in the sight of God ; no 
 longer obstruct the honour and glory of the Lord, 
 and the welfare of poor souls ; no longer seek your- 
 self, your own honour or fame ; exert yourself in no 
 other cause than the cause of God ! " 
 
 In order to obtain permission for a disputation, 
 the Genevese sent Calvin to Strasburg. He and 
 Farel petitioned the senate to give them a safeguard 
 to Metz, on a request to the senate there to grant 
 them an audience, or lastly, to intercede with the 
 
CAROLl's LAST INTRIGUES. 
 
 223 
 
 German protestant states to take their part. The 
 first proposition was rejected as dangerous, and the 
 second as useless, because the arrival of the emperor 
 had strengthened the hands of the senate. Letters 
 were written to the states, but nothing was gained, 
 excepting a promise to urge an inter\'iew at Metz, 
 and to request a safeguard without saying for whom. 
 An unsatisfactory reply was received from Smalcald, 
 although the Echevin von Huy was there, with four 
 deputies. After remaining there some weeks longer, 
 they returned, unable to accompUsh the object of 
 their mission. Farel and his friends were never 
 again brought into collision with Caroli, though for 
 a time he continued to practise his intrigues at Metz. 
 He went to Rome with flattering expectations, which 
 were completely disappointed. He quickly sank into 
 the oblivion which Farel had predicted, and died 
 there a few years after in a hospital, a victim to his 
 excesses, poor, miserable, and forsaken. 
 
 Farel had been absent from home about a year. 
 The sacrifices he had recently made, and his suffer- 
 ings in the Lord's ser\'ice, acquired him new esteem 
 from all who were able to appreciate his merits. The 
 deep interest he felt in Metz was rather increased 
 than lessened by absence. Daily and hourly, with an 
 affection like that of a mother for her children when 
 in danger, did he yearn over the souls of those who 
 were seeking salvation, but whom he was unable to 
 aid. In a consolatory epistle, he expressed his grief 
 on this account, and his ardent desires for their 
 
224 
 
 CAROLl's LAST INTRIGUES. 
 
 welfare. He assured them that he often meditated on 
 the unsearchableness of God's ways, in withholding 
 the word of life from those who seemed so eager to 
 receive it; and humbled himself deeply before that 
 just and holy God, who at his pleasure pours down 
 fruitful showers on one city, and suiFers another to 
 languish in drought. After noticing their dangerous 
 situation, which was both to him and them a trial 
 of faith, he exhorted them to a confession of their 
 sins, and to believing, persevering prayer. He en- 
 couraged them to confide in the Divine assistance, 
 even should greater storms assail them ; since God, 
 notwithstanding all appearances to the contrary, 
 would certainly fulfil his promises given through 
 Christ. He sent them a collection of prayers, which 
 he had composed for their use, with directions when, 
 how, and for whom they ought to pray. He conti- 
 nued actively engaged in their cause by letters and 
 negotiations; and some years after, took a journey 
 to Strasburg with Viret, on their account, when new 
 persecutions had broken out against them. 
 
CHAPTER XX. 
 
 CALUMNIES AGAINST FAKEL DISPUTED ELECTION 
 
 CALLED TO GENEVA AND LAUSANNE ATTENTION 
 
 TO THE SCHOOLS CHURCH IN MONTBELIARD, AND 
 
 PERSECUTIONS THERE WRITINGS. 
 
 On Farel's return to Neufchatel, he soon found him- 
 self involved in fresh difficulties. His colleague, 
 Chaponneau, seemed disposed to act over again the 
 part of Caroli. He secretly instigated his son-in-law, 
 Cortesius, to impugn the correctness of Farel's sen- 
 timents on the doctrine of the Trinity. Cortesius 
 was, however, brought to acknowledge that his accu- 
 sation was unfounded, <ind professed himself ready 
 to make all the reparation in his power. 
 
 An attempt was made in 1545 to recall Farel to 
 Geneva. This had long been a favourite project of 
 Calvin, who was convinced that his former colleague 
 would be far more useful in Geneva than at Neuf- 
 chatel, where the people so easily received a wrong 
 bias. The senate of Berne and the ministers of Neuf- 
 chatel were wilhng to yield to the proposal, and 
 Farel would have consented, could a successor have 
 
226 
 
 DISPUTKD ELECTION. 
 
 been found to supply his place ; but as this was not 
 practicable, Tossanus, who was the best qualified, 
 having refused to leave Montbeliard, Farel remained. 
 
 During the negotiations for Farel's removal to 
 Geneva, Chaponneau died, who had in his latter 
 years become a more peaceful and useful colleague, 
 having been on terms of friendly intercourse with 
 Farel, and having evinced increasing zeal in the 
 Lord's service. On his death-bed, he desired to see 
 his neighbouring brethren in the ministry once more; 
 he earnestly exhorted them to promote the welfare 
 of the church, and to enjoin on all its members, 
 especially those of his own congregation, peace and 
 unanimity. He then, with many tears, asked for- 
 giveness of them all. He ordered his writings against 
 Calvin to be burned, and bequeathed him, as a token 
 of his regard, a copy of St. Augustine's works. All 
 present thanked God for the change that had taken 
 place in him, and for such a termination of his 
 earthly course. 
 
 Chaponneau's death was the occasion of fresh 
 disturbances in the church. He had expressed a 
 wish that Tossanus might be his successor, whom 
 Farel would likewise have most preferred for a col- 
 league ; but the first question agitated after his de- 
 cease was, not who should fill his place, but in whom 
 the right of election was vested. The old faction 
 reappeared, whose only hope of preventing one of 
 Farel's friends from being chosen, was to exclude the 
 committee of ministers from the choice and present- 
 
DISPUTED ELECTION. 
 
 227 
 
 merit of a minister. They were in reality desirous of 
 obtaining Marcourt, who had always shown himself 
 very indulgent and pliable. Farel warmly advocated 
 the rights of his brethren. On two occasions assem- 
 bhes were held, in order to choose Marcourt, but 
 Farel's stedfastness frustrated the attempt, so that 
 his opponents despaired of succeeding till after his 
 decease. They agreed to adopt the mode of election 
 already established, and Christopher Libertet Fabri, 
 a man of acknowledged zeal and piety was unani- 
 mously nominated Cha])onneau's successor. The 
 ministers of Thonon and the senate of Berne gave 
 Fabri leave to remove to Neuenburg, and Farel felt 
 his burdens lightened by the co-operation of his 
 young friend. 
 
 A few months afterwards, Calvin and Viret en- 
 deavoured to draw Farel into their more immediate 
 vicinity. The government of Berne had resolved to 
 institute another professorship of divinity at Lau- 
 sanne, and Viret wished for a colleague of congenial 
 sentiments and views. No one appeared to Calvin 
 more suitable for this office than Farel. Well versed 
 in the Scriptures, and not deficient in a knowledge of 
 the Hebrew language, he possessed some of the most 
 important qualifications of a good expositor ; nor did 
 it escape Calvin's observation, that as his years in- 
 creased, his manners became more refined and gentle. 
 The ministers of Lausanne made two apphcations to 
 the government of Berne for their sanction to this 
 appointment, but without success. Though Farel 
 
'228 
 
 FAREL CALLED TO 
 
 had rendered eminent services to Berne, by establish- 
 ing the reformation in the Valais, Neufchatel, and 
 Geneva, yet he had become obnoxious to some of the 
 principal members of the government, by his some- 
 what hasty temper and his bold uncompromising 
 address. He had also given offence to the senate, 
 by refusing to form the church at Geneva on the 
 model of that at Berne. It seems probable, too, 
 that they were afraid of bringing Farel into closer 
 union with his friends, Calvin and Viret. These three 
 distinguished men constituted a sacred triumvirate, 
 so harmonious that all their movements seemed 
 actuated by one spirit. Calvin's profound knowledge 
 and acuteness, Farel's zeal, devotedness, and over- 
 powering eloquence, with Viret's gentle and captivat- 
 ing address, formed a combination of quahties which 
 excited en\-y and fear in the breasts of their oppo- 
 nents. The consequence was, that this second at- 
 tempt to remove the pastor of Neufchatel was as 
 fruitless as the first ; but this was less to be regret- 
 ted, as Beza soon after began his labours at Lau- 
 sanne. 
 
 On the removal to Lausanne of the excellent 
 Mathurin Corderius, who had been tutor to Calvin, 
 and many other eminent men, and was head master 
 of the school at Neufchatel, the senate of Berne 
 addressed a letter to the council of Neufchatel on 
 the importance of having his situation well filled, and 
 on the utility of schools in general, " for promoting 
 the glory of God, and instructing the young in the 
 
GENEVA AND LACSANNE. 229 
 
 Divine word and propriety of conduct." " Certain 
 tyrants," said thev, " who undertake to suppress and 
 extirpate the gospel, know of no better method than 
 the abohtion of the Latin schools." 
 
 Farel entered fully into these views. He was most 
 anxious for the education of the young, and fore- 
 saw that darkness would again overspread the church, 
 if voung men were not regularly educated for the 
 ministry of the gospel; for, " it is incredible," said 
 he, " what is still attempted by those men, who are 
 continually hatching some mischief in their sohtary 
 cells." Hence he urged the council to educate some 
 candidates for the ministry at the public expense, 
 and succeeded in engaging them to proA-ide for four. 
 He wished that the utmost pains should be taken in 
 giving children a religious education, founded on the 
 holy Scriptures. He required of those youths who 
 devoted themselves to the study of di\'inity, that they 
 should learn the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, 
 and cultivate an acquaintance with the objects of 
 nature, in order to perceive how wonderful is the 
 Creator, how weak and short-sighted is man; like- 
 wise that they should acquire a knowledge of the 
 various countries, states, and nations of the earth, 
 and pay particular attention to those vmtings which 
 treat of good laws and institutions. He also regarded 
 as necessary the study of logic, in order to distin- 
 guish appearances from reahties, and of rhetoric, 
 that they might learn to express themselves with 
 
230 
 
 ATTENTION TO THE SCHOOLS. 
 
 force and precision ; besides which, arithmetic, 
 geometiy, astronomy, music, and the other hberal 
 arts, were not to be overlooked. " Truly," said he, 
 " these sciences are the gifts of God, nor must 
 they be condemned or rejected on account of the 
 perversity of men who abuse them." He called upon 
 the council to improve the schools already existing, 
 to establish new ones, and appoint upright and 
 accomplished teachers. In short, for the sake of 
 the pubhc welfare, " let no one in any way obstruct 
 the cultivation of learning, or of the arts and sciences." 
 For whatever may be a person's station or calling, 
 knowledge and science will be of inestimable advan- 
 tage to him ; but, above all, the knowledge of the 
 holy Scriptures. On this subject, Farel addressed 
 both the church and the magistracy, but especially 
 parents, to whom he says, " If you are desirous of 
 worthily bearing the honourable name of father, 
 which God applies to you, and assumes also for him- 
 self, if you wish to be fathers in reaUty, and not in 
 name only, give your children pious and faithful 
 teachers, or bring them up yourselves in the nurture 
 and admonition of the Lord." 
 
 The persecutions endured by the protestants in 
 France, called forth Farel's sympathy and efforts for 
 their relief, particularly as his brothers, Daniel and 
 Gauthier, were in prison, and the latter in danger of 
 his life. In company with Viret, he travelled to 
 Berne and Basle to gain assistance for them. Farel's 
 
PERSECUTIONS IN MONTBKLIARD. 
 
 231 
 
 two brothers were at length set at Ubert\'. The fol- 
 lowing year he and Viret visited Basle and Strasburg 
 in behalf of the persecuted Waldenses. 
 
 In Neufchatel itself, Farel was called upon to 
 counteract the writings of the Anabaptists, which 
 Peloux, a citizen of Neustadt, had caused to be 
 printed in Germany, and had circulated there very 
 extensively. He wrote a severe letter to Peloux, 
 with the hope of recovering him from his errors, but 
 it seemed rather to embitter than soften his spirit. 
 Calvin also was much harassed by persons of the 
 same class, and sought the advice of his friend on 
 the best method of checking their attempts. Farel 
 advised him to employ his pen against them, en- 
 couraged him when he seemed ready to rehnquish 
 the contest and retire from Geneva, and, at last, 
 visited him, in order to render the aid of his personal 
 interference with the citizens and the senate. He 
 reminded them of his former ser\-ices, of his dis- 
 tinguished abihties, and of his pre-eminent labours in 
 the cause of the reformation. And, since many were 
 offended with the severity of Calvin's reproofs, he 
 wished them to recoUect that he had with equal free- 
 dom exposed the faults of Luther and Melancthon, 
 and other eminent men. 
 
 In 1.545, Farel published a small book of devo- 
 tions, full of energy and fervour, and bearing a strong 
 resemblance to the Confessions of Augustine. He 
 also printed about the same time several pastoral 
 
232 
 
 WRITINGI 
 
 letters, for the encouragement of all who loved the 
 truth, and for the special consolation of the perse- 
 cuted. He read Calvin's writings with the deepest 
 interest. On one occasion, when extremely dejected, 
 on account of his fi-iend's troubles, he was so cheered 
 by his work on the Council of Trent, that he spent a 
 whole night in perusing it. 
 
CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 THE INTERIM FAREl's WRITINGS DEDICATION 
 
 SVNOD BOLSEC BUCEr's DEATH FAREl's SUF- 
 FERINGS, AND JOURNEY TO GENEVA. 
 
 The church of Benie, after the decease of Bertold 
 Haller, not only fell into a state of internal dissension, 
 but was at variance, respecting the sacrament, with 
 the churches of Valais, many of whose ministers were 
 inchned to Bucer's views. The differences among 
 the reformed churches on this subject, were a source 
 of increasing trouble to Farel, and he employed every 
 means in his power to bring about a better state of 
 things. At length, with the assistance of Calvin, he 
 prevailed on the churches at Geneva, Neufchatel, 
 Schaffhausen, St. Gjdl, and Basle, to sign an agree- 
 ment, to which, also, the ministers of Berne gave a 
 verbal assent. Bullinger transmitted the articles of 
 union to England, and through Calvin and Farel they 
 were communicated to the friends of the gospel in 
 France, where they occasioned great joy. 
 
 The dreadful storm that broke over the Protestants 
 
234 
 
 THE INTERIM. 
 
 in Germany, the Interim, and the fall of Constance, 
 which had been weakened by factions long before the 
 reformation, were events which deeply affected Farel. 
 He looked upon the Interim as the device of Satan, 
 for the ruin of the church. " O, Saviour ! full of 
 power and grace," he exclaimed, in a letter to Bucer, 
 " can no prayers avail with thee ? "Wilt thou not, for 
 the honour of thy name, and for the sake of the light 
 of thy gospel, forgive these wretched people their mul- 
 tiplied transgressions against thee ? Why does thine 
 anger still burn against thy flock, as if thou didst intend 
 to destroy every thing, so that the future appears even 
 darker than the past ?" He then notices the character 
 of civil governor?, whose duty it was to protect faithful 
 pastors, punish the faithless, and hazard their lives for 
 the truth ; but who were so alarmed at the rustling of 
 a leaf, that thev denied God, and Christ, and religion 
 altogether. " Oh what dreadful depravity! to abjure 
 that Saviour whom they had acknowledged, to pro- 
 scribe and expel the precious gospel and the sacraments 
 which they had received ! What feUowship hath Christ 
 with Antichrist, or the gospel of life with the soul- 
 destroying mass, or the sacraments with the infernal 
 superstitions of popery ?" Then addressing his friend, 
 he thus continued, " You and your colleagues are am- 
 bassadors of the Most High. The rod of God is in- 
 trusted to you for the purpose of ruling the church. 
 A dreadful woe falls upon all those who teach any thing 
 but the word of God, or practise hypocrisy of any kind. 
 As Christ must always be preached, in order that he 
 
THK INTERIM. 
 
 235 
 
 alone mav reign, so must Antichrist be held up to 
 abhorrence, that he may find no entrance. How the 
 thought grieves me ! if they, of whom I could have 
 sworn that they would stand fast in the Lord, in the 
 face of an apostate world, they whom I so highly 
 prized and valued, you who are a father and a pastor, 
 and vour colleagues, if these brilliant lights were to 
 become so obscured, as even to enjoin the accursed 
 things which they once abhorred, or at least use no 
 opposition to them, undertake nothing against the 
 powers of hell, these legions of devils, but rather 
 favour them ! — Lord Jesus I open their eyes that they 
 may see. Be mindful of thy servants, and of what 
 thou hast already wTought by them !" He then 
 thanked the Lord for strengthening those of his ser- 
 vants who had not yet denied him, and declared that 
 in the dreadful picture he had presented before them, 
 he only sought to deter them from that sin, which, in 
 imagination, he had ascribed to them. " For," said 
 he, " shall we who are redeemed by God's grace from 
 the severe bondage of Antichrist, in which our con- 
 sciences languished, devoid of faith, and obeying evil 
 doctrines, now voluntarily adore the idol again, and 
 recommend its adoration to others, to their destruction 
 and our own ? How much better would it have been 
 for us had we never known the way of truth, than 
 thus to return to our former impurity !" 
 
 During the Interim, Farel's " Letter to all the ma- 
 gistrates, churches, and pastors, to whom the Lord 
 had led him, and who had assisted him in the work 
 
236 
 
 FAREL S WRITINGS. 
 
 of the Lord," made its appearance. In this tract, he 
 gives a faithful and clear account of his being at first 
 sunk in the grossest errors ; of his changing frona a 
 bUnd bigot to a sceptic, and finally, after many strug- 
 gles, of his attaining to a knowledge of the truth by 
 means of the Scriptures. He exhorts his readers to 
 cleave to the commands of the Saviour, and to assent 
 to nothing which proceeded from the pope, the enemy 
 of God. He exhorts teachers and pastors in parti- 
 cular, to perform their duties with assiduity, to be on 
 their guard against every popish corruption, and to 
 preach the Scriptures in their purity ; he reminds 
 them of the dreadful judgment which will come on all 
 those who make their boast of the gospel, but deviate 
 from it in life and doctrine. He concludes by saying, 
 " Let us adhere firmly to Jesus, continue in his holy 
 doctrines, daily improve in all that is good, and bring 
 forth the real fruits of the children of God. Let us 
 strive to obtain the enduring and heavenly inheritance, 
 in the exercise of that true and hving faith which 
 works by love, not doubting but that, as the word of 
 God ' endureth for ever,' we also shall live by it 
 eternally." 
 
 No sect that had hitherto troubled the church, 
 were productive of greater injury than the Libertines. 
 The leaders of the party came from the Netherlands. 
 Only a few appeared in Geneva and Switzerland 
 under this name, which was so abhorred, that it ex- 
 posed them, every where, to capital punishment. 
 Under the pretence of correcting the errors of Popery, 
 
FAREL S WRITINGS. 
 
 237 
 
 they deluded the simple, and sapped the very founda- 
 tions of religion. They spoke much of the Spirit, and 
 by a certain apparent devotion of manner, deluded 
 many, especially females. Similar to their general 
 language, were the titles of the little works they dis- 
 seminated, pretending to be " Introductions to a life 
 of pietv," but which were, in reality, the effusions of 
 an ill-regulated imagination, full of vague speculations. 
 In order to deceive the friends of the reformation, 
 they made use of the language of the reformers. 
 With similar views, a Franciscan imitated Calvin, and 
 taught predestination, but made it an apology for sin. 
 Against this man, Farel wrote his " Sword of the true 
 word of God." He also boldly attacked the perni- 
 cious tenets of the Libertines, whose adherents not 
 only gave themselves up to every \-ice, but even 
 shamelessly undertook their defence. One of their 
 principles was, that God had made men wicked as a 
 foil to his own goodness. They also held that men 
 were nothing more than machines moved by a supe- 
 rior power, so that when any one performed the most 
 wicked action, he only acted according to the will of 
 God. By their pantheistic notions, that at death the 
 soul was merged in the Divine essence, or rather an- 
 nihilated, they took away the belief in its immor- 
 tality, as a distinct, conscious existence. And this 
 absorption was, they maintained, the only means of 
 freedom from sin. Farel pointed out the contrariety 
 of such sentiments to the doctrines of Scripture, and 
 exposed the absurdity of what they termed spiritual 
 
238 
 
 FAREL S WETTINGS. 
 
 exposition. He had been a witness of their wild 
 imaginations, their pretended revelations, for even in 
 Neufchatel their notions had found acceptance. Ar- 
 gument was of little avail with these self-imagined 
 spiritualists, since they constantly treated their oppo- 
 nents as carnal, and, therefore, wholly incompetent 
 to understand the spiritual sense of Scripture. In 
 their opinion, Farel was only a minister of the letter, 
 ignorant of the higher sense, and had never received 
 the baptism of fire. He, on the other hand, vindi- 
 cated the simple and intelligible language of Scrip- 
 ture. " Beware," said he, " as of infernal spirits, 
 of those who say that the Scriptures contain such 
 profound mysteries, too deep and spiritual to be ex- 
 pressed. For though it is true that divine things 
 are sublime and unsearchable, so that we must 
 humbly ask God's assistance, to learn his holy will, 
 to be governed by it, and to obey it ; yet that which 
 God has revealed for our salvation is so plain, that 
 no father can speak more intelligibly to his children 
 than God speaks to us." " Whether the papists 
 boast themselves, the Turks conquer, the Jews con- 
 tinue hardened, heretics lift up their heads, or innu- 
 merable sects buzz around us, like swarms of gnats — 
 let the gracious Saviour be all in all to us ; to Him 
 we will firmly adhere, and prefer his poverty and 
 humility to all popish grandeur and all worldly 
 riches." 
 
 Farel had to maintain a conflict not only against 
 the Libertines, but against false philosophers, who 
 
Calvin's dedication. 
 
 239 
 
 made common cause with them, and wished to be 
 regarded as men of great genius ; hkewise against 
 the Anabaptists, and in some places against jiopery, 
 which he regarded as the parent of every corruption 
 of Christianity. He also surpassed many learned 
 men of his time, in zeal against the superstitious 
 practices which were carried on by means of astrology 
 and chiromancy. 
 
 He submitted his work, before publication, to his 
 friends, Calvin and Viret. They were fully satisfied 
 with every thing, excepting the style, which they 
 complained of, as defective in perspicuity, and abound- 
 ing in figures and allegories. In writing, as well as 
 in speaking, his periods were too long, and his over- 
 flowing feelings were expressed in a rapid succes- 
 sion of interrogations, exclamations, and prayers. In 
 return, Calvin joined Farel's name with Viret's in the 
 Dedication of his Commentary on Titus, which he 
 intended to be a testimony to his contemporaries and 
 to posterity of their inviolable friendship and har- 
 monious co-operation. 
 
 The ecclesiastical regulations adopted in the year 
 1542, had been hitherto only partially carried into 
 effect. At the instance of Farel, a new synod was 
 convened, which Calvin, Viret, and HaUer, were in- 
 vited to attend. The first two were present, and the 
 last sent a friendly letter, excusing his absence, on 
 the ground that he could not appear without special 
 permission from the senate. Calvin's presence con- 
 siderably influenced the proceedings, which were 
 
240 
 
 THE SYNOD. 
 
 peaceful and unanimous. Twenty-eight articles were 
 agreed to, relating chiefly to marriage, and the 
 removal of such traces of popery as yet remained. 
 
 Farel observed with pain, that there were preachers, 
 particularly in the country, who became agriculturists, 
 or, for the sake of pursuing their pleasures, (and 
 some for worse purposes,) neglected their studies and 
 the duties of their profession ; and that at a time 
 when every one ought to feel, " what great need 
 there was of men of God, who should stand as pil- 
 lars in the temple, for the glory of God, and the wel- 
 fare of his people." 
 
 The dangers to which the church was exposed, 
 brought upon Farel an increasing weight of care, and 
 engaged him in a very extensive correspondence. In 
 consequence of the Interim, Tossanus was uncertain 
 whether he should leave the church at Montbehard 
 or not. He applied for advice to his Strasburg 
 friends, and in several letters to Farel laid open to 
 him his hopes and fears. Bucer also acquainted 
 him with his sufferings, dangers, and labours, and 
 was much encouraged and comforted by his letters in 
 return. Both complained of the civil powers, who 
 not only by their perfunctory mode of discharging 
 their duties, but by directly hostile measures, pre- 
 vented the right administration of church discipline. 
 When Bucer ended his days in England, Farel wrote 
 as follows : " Our friend has happily seized the 
 prize, and left us struggHng in the course below. 
 We deplore our lot, and that of the church, in being 
 
farel's sufferings. 
 
 •241 
 
 deprived of a man so distinguished, and whose labours 
 in the Lord's sers'ice were invaluable. While on 
 earth his enemies persecuted this holy man, not in- 
 deed to the extent of their wishes, but of those limits 
 which were set to the endeavours of Satan and his 
 agents ; but now, escaped from all danger, he lives 
 in safetv with the Lord. The same happiness awaits 
 us. But at present we must expect persecution 
 from the world, which, however, our faithful Father, 
 according to his promise, will so alleviate, that we 
 shall be able to bear it. Let not our courage then 
 be depressed. We will persevere, in spite of Satan 
 and his efforts, and finish the work committed to us, 
 wliich in the end wiU bring forth much good fruit. 
 We know whom we serve." 
 
 A variety of painful events in his own congregation 
 pressed heavily upon him, in addition to the loss of 
 his fi-iend, and the melancholy state of the church in 
 general. The office which he held in the ecclesias- 
 tical court (greatly against his inclination) gave him 
 much trouble, especially in reference to divorces. His 
 conscientiousness was looked upon as severity, and 
 his zeal as intolerance. Even his friends and his 
 colleague wished him to moderate his censures. On 
 hearing such opinions expressed of his conduct, he 
 broke out into tliis lamentation : " I am already 
 advanced in years, and have not suflSicient vigour to 
 urge those under my care, who require a continual 
 spur. In the ecclesiastical courts I am a novice, and 
 
 R 
 
242 
 
 FAREL S SUFFERINGS, 
 
 stand alone. I am honoured with the title of father, 
 it is true ; but my sons have Uttle reverence for my 
 authority." Many refused to submit to church dis- 
 cipline, and the council was lukewarm in every thing 
 that concerned the cause of rehgion and sound morals. 
 The abuses of popery were treated with forbearance ; 
 learning and men of learning were held in contempt. 
 His only hope was in God, to whom he addressed his 
 supplications. " Those who ought to heal, cherish 
 the deadly disease; and the more dangerous it 
 becomes, the more sanguine are they of attaining 
 their object, in the overthrow of all that is good." 
 
 Farel, while he was inflexibly firm in maintaining 
 what he believed to be the truth, was sincerely 
 anxious to be informed of his defects by impartial 
 observers. In writing to his friend Ambrose Blaarer 
 of Biel, he says, " I conjure you to admonish me 
 faithfully of what you see to be amiss, and remember 
 me in your prayers. Thus you will profit me and 
 the church also, far more than by your commend- 
 ations, which proceed from an excessive attach- 
 ment." 
 
 Afflicted himself, he sought by every means to 
 aid his brethren in tribulation. He watched with 
 great anxiety the course of events in Magdeburg 
 and France, where the friends of the truth were suf- 
 fering persecution. He ofi"ered to accompany Calvin, 
 if he would undertake a journey for the purpose of 
 obtaining protection for the faithful ; and when his 
 
AND JOURNEY TO GENEVA. 243 
 
 friend had incurred odium for his attempts to repress 
 the Libertines at Geneva, he and Viret immediately 
 repaired thither to plead with the senate on behalf of 
 religion and its ministers, as well as the foreigners 
 who, persecuted for their faith, had sought an asylum 
 there. 
 
 R 2 
 
CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 FAKEl's illness ECCLESIASTICAL REGULATIONS 
 
 AND OCCURRENCES— SERVETUS THE LIBERTINES 
 
 PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE PARISH PRIEST OF 
 
 CRESSIER CALVIN AND GENEVA MONTBELIARD. 
 
 It is not surprising that Farel's health should have 
 suffered under his manifold trials and labours. He 
 had already passed through one severe illness ; but, 
 in 1553, he was seized with a pleurisy, so violent, 
 that Sarogin, his physician, gave little hopes of his 
 recovery. In this distressing situation, he received 
 a visit from the celebrated French jurist, Charles Du 
 Moulin, who was anxious for a personal acquaintance 
 with so distinguished a champion of the reformation. 
 Thenext day Calvin arrived. Duringhis stay Farel made 
 his will. It began with expressing his gratitude to God, 
 for the unspeakable mercy manifested to him, not- 
 withstanding his unworthiness, particularly for having 
 redeemed him from the curse under which the human 
 race lay, by the death of his Son, and for having 
 brought him out of the horrible darkness of poper\', 
 to a knowledge of the truth. He then committed liis 
 
FAREL S ILLNESS. 
 
 245 
 
 soul and body to Christ until the great day of the 
 resurrection. He spoke in thankful terms of the 
 grace which had called him to be a preacher of the 
 gospel, and implored the Divine foi"giveness for all 
 his failures and sins in so high a vocation. He 
 avowed his unfaltering belief of the truths he had 
 preached, and hoped that his death-bed confession 
 might confirm those who had received the gospel from 
 his lips. He bequeathed his httle remaining property 
 to his brothers, Gauthier and Claudius, (to whom he 
 had previously resigned his paternal inheritance,) but 
 trusted they would be satisfied with the title of heirs, 
 and not appropriate to their personal use so inconsi- 
 derable a legacy. He enjoined upon them peace and 
 unity, and especially, if they wished to be considered 
 his brethren, stedfastness in the faith. He left a 
 fourth part of his books to the library of the ministers 
 in his district, and the rest to the sons of his brother 
 Gauthier, and to his nephew, Caspar Carmel, the 
 preacher. A third part of what was left of money 
 and furniture, was to be given to the poor, under the 
 direction of the ministers, and the rest to his brothers 
 to hquidate any debts that might still remain. Cal- 
 vin subscribed his name as the first witness. Gladly 
 would Farel have departed to his Lord and Master, 
 but his desire was not granted. On the contrary, 
 Calvin's wish, that his friend might survive him, was 
 fulfilled, to his great consolation. 
 
 Farel had scarcely recovered, when a synod was 
 held. The former governor was dead, and as his 
 
246 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL REGULATIONS 
 
 successor, Von Bonstellen, was on friendly terms with 
 Farel, the wishes of the synod met with a better re- 
 ception. In the course of a few months, several 
 important regulations were published respecting the 
 Lord's Supper, and the preparatory instruction of the 
 children, the choice of preachers and schoolmasters, 
 liaptism, marriage, the observance of the Lord's-day, 
 and forms of family prayer. Parents were enjoined 
 to send their children for catechetical instruction, and 
 children to treat their parents with respect. If any 
 one considered himself aggrieved by personal allusions 
 from the pulpit, he was enjoined not to revile the 
 ]3reacher or his office, but to give information of it to 
 the council, who would call the preacher to account. 
 Though attending mass and wearing rosaries were 
 prohibited, still it would seem that a hankering after 
 them existed. The regulations determined the pu- 
 nishments to be incurred by those who treated or 
 despised sacred things with contempt, or despised 
 their parents ; by those who were guilty of profanity, 
 or any species of unchastity, by usurers, seducers of 
 youth, drunkards, seditious persons, and persons who 
 used licentious language. Dancing was entirely for- 
 l)idden, as well as immodest dress, particularly to 
 lirides ; but certain games and militaiy sports were 
 allowed. Fortune-tellers, sorcerers, and witches 
 were to be punished according to their deserts, and 
 gipsies were to be expelled the country. 
 
 No allusion was made, in these civil enactments, to 
 ecclesiastical censures, though Farel regarded them 
 
AND OCCURRENCES. 
 
 247 
 
 as necessary, as well as exclusion from the Lord's 
 Supper, that the church might attain its pristine pu- 
 rity and lustre. But upon this point the assembly 
 were not unanimous. Some churches in the province 
 of Volangin practised the excommunication of offend- 
 ers, and did not re-admit them to the sacrament until 
 they had done penance publicly. Others did not ap- 
 prove of it, and appealed to the usage of the church 
 of Berne. In consequence of this difference of sen- 
 timent, the question was proposed to several churches, 
 " whether it was according to the word of God, that 
 those who had given public offence to the church, 
 should do penance publicly ?" Calvin and the Gene- 
 vese, Blaarer and Tossanus, rephed in the affirmative. 
 The churches of Berne approved in general of church 
 disciphne, but maintained that the same forms could 
 not be observed every where. " Every church," said 
 thev, " should practise what it has been accustomed 
 to, and finds most useful." The clergj' of Basle sub- 
 sequently answered the question in the affirmative, in 
 its whole extent. 
 
 Although Fabri, Farel's colleague, agreed with him 
 on this point, yet he seemed to him too lenient ; and 
 as their views often differed, a painful coolness arose 
 between them, which was the more to be regretted, 
 because they were, in heart, sincere friends. Farel 
 complained that Fabri occupied himself with too many 
 irrelevant matters, and was too pertinacious of his 
 own opinion. Cal\4n, who perceived that Fabri, by 
 his conciliatory address compensated for what was 
 
248 
 
 SERVETUe. 
 
 frequently repulsive in his venerable colleague, en- 
 deavoured, by prudent suggestions, to quiet Farel's 
 complaints. 
 
 The state of affairs in Geneva, at this time, filled 
 Calvin with perplexity ; but, anxious not to disturb 
 his friend, he never acquainted him with his troubles. 
 Farel, however, having heard of his situation through 
 other channels, hastened to Lausanne, to consult 
 with Viret on the best method of affording him 
 assistance. He was very uneasy because Calvin had 
 not invited him to Geneva. " The origin and aim 
 of our friendship," said he, in one of his letters, " is 
 Christ, and the edification of the church. Riches, 
 honour, power, worldly pleasure, are not what we 
 seek, but only how we may best serve the Lord." 
 " If you believe it to be for the glory of Christ, 
 beseech, command, constrain me to come !" 
 
 Whilst the Libertines were violently opposing Cal- 
 vin, and seeking his downfall, and that of the ecclesi- 
 astical discipline which he had introduced, Michael 
 Servetus arrived at Geneva. His long concealment 
 necessarily excited Calvin's suspicion. One of his 
 own scholars accused him, and the procureur-gene- 
 ral instituted further process. The proceeding was 
 generally approved of. The doctrine of Servetus 
 was a medley of dogmas and blasphemies, which ex- 
 cited the greatest abhorrence. Some things he had 
 borrowed from the Libertines, others from the Ana- 
 baptists, and several originated with himself. Among 
 the persons who conducted the investigation, were 
 
THE LiBERTINES. 
 
 249 
 
 some of Calvin's bitterest enemies. Relying on their 
 support, Servetus rejected all advice, and was so mis- 
 guided as to accuse Calvin of capital offences, which 
 none of his other opponents had ever ventured to do. 
 The passions of both parties were roused to the 
 highest degree of excitement. Calvin complained of 
 lost confidence. He believed that the church, the 
 reformed faith, and his own life, were in danger. 
 
 There were many who regarded Servetus more as 
 a blasphemer than a heretic, and blasphemy was at 
 that time, and for a much later period, punished 
 with death. This was the view taken by Bulhnger, 
 Musculus, and Farel. " I should regard myself," wrote 
 the latter, " as a criminal worthy of death, if I caused 
 only one soul to apostatize from the christian faith. 
 I cannot therefore pass a more lenient judgment on 
 others than I would upon myself." Against Servetus 
 were arrayed the law, public opinion, most of the 
 leaders of the Swiss churches, the decision of the 
 Bernese senate, Calvin, who was not only a theolo- 
 gian, but a civilian; and the danger the church was 
 in of being charged with holding the same opinions 
 if he were allowed to escape ; the conduct of his 
 friends, and, not least of all, his own behaviour, also 
 tended to confirm his judges in their sentence. He 
 was condemned to the flames ; and thus the church, 
 in the very act of maintaining its purity, contami- 
 nated itself with an indelible stain. 
 
 Calvin, by the advice of his friends, now sent for 
 Farel. He not only obeyed the call, but undertook 
 
250 
 
 PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE 
 
 the melancholy office of attending Servetus till his 
 death. Accompanied by some ministers from the 
 country, he exhorted him to confess his errors ; but 
 so far from doing this, he attempted to defend them. 
 He expressed, however, a willingness to be reconciled 
 to Calvin, refusing at the same time to acknowledge 
 that he had erred, excepting through ignorance. 
 It should be mentioned to Farel's honour, that he 
 presented to the senate a petition from Servetus, 
 that he might suffer a less painful death, but with- 
 out success. 
 
 While this tragedy was acting, the disputes upon 
 church discipline were renewed with greater violence 
 than ever. The consistory insisted on their rights 
 against Phillibert Berthelier, an excommunicated per- 
 son, whom the syndic, Perren, had admitted to the 
 communion. Farel came again to Geneva in aid of 
 his friends, and encouraged the lovers of order, by 
 reproving the Libertines, with his wonted boldness 
 and energy, in a pubhc discourse. None of this class 
 were present, but the report of the sermon so en- 
 raged them, that, soon after his departure, a criminal 
 prosecution was instituted against him, as if he had 
 assailed the honour of the whole community. Sum- 
 moned to answer for himself, he hastened to Ge- 
 neva on foot, notwithstanding the inclemency of the 
 weather. Calvin was forbidden to let him preach; 
 and on his arrival, his enemies threatened to throw 
 him into the Rhone. An immense concourse of peo- 
 ple assembled to hear his defence ; and as BertheUer 
 
PARISH PRIEST OF CRESSIER. 
 
 251 
 
 had ordered the workmen in the mint, who were un- 
 der his control, to attend at the senate-house, in 
 order to act against Farel, a number of courageous 
 young men formed themselves into a body-guard 
 round him, that no injur\- might befall their father 
 Farel. Cah-in, Viret, and the other preachers, ex- 
 posed the malicious intentions of his accusers, and 
 Farel himself, in a long and animated speech, vin- 
 dicated himself from their aspersions. Paternal 
 admonitions and reproofs, founded on the holy Scrip- 
 tures, (and such only he had delivered,) were, he 
 maintained, befitting his office. He disclaimed all 
 intention of insulting the to^Ti, towards which, as 
 every one knew, he cherished the tenderest senti- 
 ments. His accusers, overpowered by his address, 
 and awed by the assembled multitude, obeyed the 
 commands of the senate, to give their hands to Farel 
 in token of reconcihation, and to acknowledge him 
 as their kijid father and teacher. He was dismissed 
 with a request to retain the Genevese in his affec- 
 tionate remembrance, and returned home, cheered 
 by the friendly termination of the affair. 
 
 On his arrival at Neufchatel, he was under the 
 necessity of defending himself against the slanders of 
 Pierre, the pastor of Cressier, who abused Farel as 
 " a savage man, a perverter of the truth, and pos- 
 sessed with two devils." After a public trial, Pierre 
 was convicted of slander, and ordered to beg pardon 
 of Farel, the governor, and the inhabitants. 
 
252 
 
 CALVIN AND GENEVA. 
 
 Farel continued to discharge his pastoral duties 
 with the same unwearied zeal which had always ani- 
 mated him. He became inured to personal insults, 
 and adopted the wise course of leaving calumnies to 
 refute themselves. He declared that he woidd rather 
 himself be vilified by the malicious Bolsec, than that 
 the gospel should be assailed by him in the person 
 of Calvin, against whom the storm stiU raged, both 
 in Geneva and Berne, where he was stigmatized as a 
 heretic. " I must be made of wood and stone," 
 said Farel to his friend, " if I do not cleave to you 
 with the tenderest affection. Christ has hitherto 
 wrought beyond all our expectations, and will effect 
 still greater things. Let us stand undaunted. The 
 battle is not ours, but the Lord's. We are rather 
 spectators than combatants. If we sow in tears, we 
 shall reap with joy an abundant harvest. The Lord 
 never forsakes his cause. He assisted Moses against 
 the magicians, and destroyed Pharaoh with his host. 
 And if he thus honoured the minister of the law, can 
 you suppose that he will withdraw his aid from you? 
 Antichrist and his adherents must be entirely cast 
 down and annihilated, and the ministry of the gospel, 
 which has been committed to you by Christ, shall 
 shine forth in all its splendour. Be satisfied that 
 you serve the Lord, and that he ordains your labours 
 and your sufferings. His will, and not ours, be 
 done !" 
 
 Nothing gave Farel greater delight than to wit- 
 
CALVIN AND GENEVA. 
 
 253 
 
 ness the progress of the truth. He rejoiced when it 
 gained the ascendancy in Orbe, where he had scat- 
 tered the first seed, and had afterwards watered the 
 crop in its progress to maturity. The fate of the 
 people of Locame, who were exiled for their attach- 
 ment to the gospel, affected him deeply, and he 
 made a collection at Neufchatel on their account. 
 " O ye happy ones !" he exclaimed, " to whom it is 
 given to prefer the gospel to every temporal bless- 
 ing ! It is delightful to the friends of Christ to hear 
 how fathers are willing to forsake their sons on ac- 
 count of the word of God, how sons love Christ 
 more than their parents, and how even young females 
 cannot be restrained either by their parents, brothers, 
 or tenderly beloved sisters, from choosing the gospel. 
 What heart is so hard as not to be softened by this 
 holy spectacle ! It would be almost incredible, that 
 the stony and cruel-hearted individuals, who thirst 
 after such sacred blood, should not at last be brought 
 to feel otherwise !" 
 
 He was gratified beyond measure with the flourish- 
 ing state which the church at Geneva, through the 
 grace of God, had attained, after so many relapses 
 and perils. It was now admired and considered as 
 a model of the christian life by pious foreigners, who 
 took refuge there. In writing to a friend, Farel re- 
 marked, " I was lately in Geneva, and such was the 
 pleasure I felt, that I could scarcely tear myself away. 
 Not that I wished to be the teacher of a church so 
 large, and so eager for the word, but only to hear 
 
254 
 
 MONTBELIARD. 
 
 and learn as the naeanest of the people. Very dif- 
 ferent is my feeling from that of the man who said, 
 that he would rather be first in the mountains than 
 second in Rome. I would rather be the last in 
 Geneva, than the first any where else. If the Lord, 
 and love to the flock intrusted to my care, did not 
 forbid, nothing should keep me from coming to re- 
 side among that people, to whom I have always been 
 united in spirit." The Genevese, in return, were not 
 insensible to his affection for them, and the many 
 proofs he had given of it, in what he had done and 
 suffered for them. They not only treated him with 
 the utmost hospitality, and every mark of attention 
 when he visited them ; but the senate brought for- 
 ward a proposal to retain him in Geneva, with an 
 honourable stipend, that no one might have cause to 
 charge the Genevese with ingratitude. 
 
 But his satisfaction in the progress of the gospel 
 in Geneva scarcely counterbalanced the pain which 
 he felt at the changes which took place in Mont- 
 behard. He clung with the heart of a father to the 
 first fruits which the Lord had given him, and such 
 was his esteem for Tossanus, that there was no one 
 whom he would have preferred for his successor or 
 colleague. But it seems that some persons who 
 favoured the views of Servetus had gained such an 
 influence over him, that it exposed him, though un- 
 justly, to the suspicion of holding similar sentiments. 
 His old friends also remarked, that after the Spaniard's 
 unhappy end, he had behaved to them with some 
 
MONTBELIARD. 
 
 255 
 
 degree of coldness, which manifested itself in a variety 
 of expressions, particularly by his warning the newly 
 appointed preachers against the errors of the Ana- 
 baptists, Osiander, Zuinglius, O^colampadius, and 
 Calvin. This alteration in his feehngs, and his con- 
 necting such names together, grieved Farel exceed- 
 ingly, because Tossanus was a pupU of CEcolampadius, 
 and the confidant of all. 
 
 From this time Tossanus assumed a hostile tone 
 towards the friends who had been so much devoted 
 to him, for which he was faithfully reproved by 
 Calvin. As for Farel, who had on many occa- 
 sions reconciled the most discordant elements, his 
 ha%"ing failed on this occasion in making peace was 
 a source of constant uneasiness. " How much I 
 wish," said he, " that we would consider that we 
 do not Mve at Rome, but in the church of Christ ; 
 that we are not to strive for ecclesiastical prefer- 
 ments, but should hazard our hves for the defence of 
 the gospel, and the truth of religion ; that we are not 
 standing before the judges of the rota, but before the 
 Lord's judgment-seat, and ought therefore to act 
 with so much the greater moderation and truth." 
 
CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 farel's attempts to promote a union with the 
 lutherans his journeys on behalf of the 
 
 persecuted PROTESTANTS EVENTS AT PRUNTHU.T 
 
 VARIOUS CAUSES OF ANXIETY. 
 
 The controversy respecting the Lord's Supper, which 
 for more than thirty years had been carried on among 
 the Protestants, and the consequent divisions in the 
 church, deeply grieved Farel, and caused him to reflect 
 long and deeply on the best means of etfecting a per- 
 manent union. The agreement with the church at 
 Zurich, which he had brought about by the aid of 
 Calvin, appeared to him one step towards a junction 
 with the Lutherans, especially since Calvin had not 
 been condemned by Luther, or liis adherents. The 
 measure had been favourably received by many, and 
 others had learned to judge more favourably of the 
 " sacramentarians," as the adherents to the doctrinal 
 views of the reformed church were called. Contrary, 
 however, to all expectation, the controversy was re- 
 newed more violently than ever by Joachim Westphal, 
 a preacher in Hamburg, and in some places verbal 
 disputes ended in acts of violence. 
 
A UNION WITH THE LUTHERANS. 257 
 
 Although Farel, about this time, puMished a "tract 
 upon the Sacraments," it was intended rather to 
 show the object and utiUty of this sacred rite, than 
 to discuss controverted points ; nor did he suppose 
 that a union could be brought about by polemical 
 treatises. The means which appeared to him best 
 adapted for the object wliich lay so near his heart, 
 were, a union of the Swiss churches themselves, and 
 a conference between the most judicious and peace- 
 ably disposed individuals of both parties. But he 
 soon found that the preachers of Berne could not be 
 induced to sign Calvin's defence of "the Agree- 
 ment." 
 
 For several years he laboured to obtain a confer- 
 ence. His hopes, in reference to this matter, were 
 fixed on Bullinger. " The more appearances are 
 against us," said he, in writing to him, "the more 
 we must hope and attempt every thing in dependance 
 on God, who will crown the labour with success. 
 May Christ lead those who know the truth to speak 
 and act wisely and devoutly in this sacred matter ; 
 then shall we come forth as conquerors, and be in- 
 strumental in leading all those to the Lord who are 
 at all disposed to embrace the truth." 
 
 Farel had soon an opportunity of asceitaining more 
 clearly whether the protectant preachers were inchned 
 to a public conference. The Waldenses in the valley 
 of Augragne were threatened, not only with perse- 
 cution, but with entire extirpation. They sought 
 assistance from their tried fi-iends in Geneva and 
 s 
 
258 farel's journey on behalf 
 
 Neufchatel ; and when the danger became imminent, 
 Beza and Farel resolved to entreat the protestant 
 states in Switzerland, and several German princes 
 and cities, to intercede for them with the king of 
 France. They first made an affecting and successful 
 appeal to the senate of Berne, in which they were 
 faithfully assisted by Haller. Bullinger was their in- 
 terpreter at Zurich, where they were also wUhngly 
 listened to. Such, likewise, was the case at Schaff- 
 hausen, where Simpert Vogt assisted them beyond 
 their expectation. Suher supported them in Basle, 
 where the result of their application was favourable. 
 In a few weeks, an embassy from the four cantons was 
 despatched to the court of France. 
 
 From Basle, Farel and Beza repaired to Montbe- 
 liard and Strasburg, and from thence proceeded to 
 the Palatinate. Every where they met with a friendly 
 reception ; but they could clearly perceive that the 
 Lutherans were much displeased at the violent lan- 
 guage employed against their views of the sacrament. 
 Diller, chaplain to the court, expressed himself pleased 
 with what the preachers offered in justification of 
 their sentiments, but wished for further e\ndence to 
 satisfy the Elector. The reference to Calvin's Insti- 
 tutes did not appear to him sufficient : accordingly, they 
 presented him with a printed copy of their confession 
 of faith concerning the Lord's supper. The next 
 place that they visited was Goppingen. They were 
 most kindly received by Duke Christopher of Wiir- 
 temberg, who expressed in strong terms his desire to 
 
OF THE PERSECUTED PROTESTANTS. 259 
 
 see peace in the church ; in which he was joined hy 
 all his court. 
 
 A few months after, Furel and Beza again visited 
 Zurich. Their journey was occasioned by the suffer- 
 ings of their brethren in France. Henry ii. ha^l 
 increased the gloom that prevailed in his kingdom 
 after the defeat at St. Quentin, by new persecutions 
 of the protestants, their enemies having pretended 
 that the vengeance of Heaven had fallen on the coun- 
 try, in consequence of the indulgence shown by the 
 king to heretics. The persecution raged with the 
 greatest violence in Paris. The reformed church 
 there sent Carmel, their minister, into Switzerland, 
 to inform their friends of their distress, and to obtain 
 through their intervention the aid of the protestant 
 states and princes. 
 
 As the former interference on behalf of the Wal- 
 denses had been successful, they hoped that this also 
 would be of use. They urged that a deputation 
 should immediately be sent from Berne, consisting of 
 individuals who possessed the greatest influence at 
 court, and proposed Tellier, the treasurer, and Hans 
 Mirabilis. The latter was chosen, along with Clau- 
 dius May. The senate of Zurich also manifested 
 great sympathy, and urged Basle and Schaffhausen 
 to manifest equal zeal. The envoys of the confe- 
 derate cantons set off without delay on their mission ; 
 but before their arrival, many had fallen victims to the 
 blind fury of their enemies. 
 
 On arriving at Strasburg, Farel was grieved to 
 
260 farel's journey on behalf 
 
 find, instead of his ancient fiiends, many persons of 
 opposite sentiments, and ill-disposed towards the 
 Swiss. The clerg^', however, assured the deputation 
 that they would arrange a conference between the 
 Germans and Swiss. 
 
 From Strashurg they travelled to Worms, where, 
 by means of a conference, an attempt had just been 
 made to settle the differences among the protestants, 
 and to enter into an amicable arrangement with the 
 Roman Cathohcs. Farel was glad of this event, 
 and had previously called upon Calvin and Blaarer 
 to be present, and not to lose such an opportunity of 
 making an approach to tenninating the disputes re- 
 specting the Lord's supper. 
 
 They found the German princes ready to intercede 
 with the French king for the protestants who had 
 been imprisoned. But the ecclesiastics were other- 
 wise disposed, having taken offence at the nightly 
 meetings which the persecuted protestants had been 
 accustomed to hold. It seemed necessary to give a 
 statement of the doctrines held by the French re- 
 fonned church. In it they appealed to Calvin's 
 Catechism, and declared that their sentiments coin- 
 cided with those of the Augsburg Confession, with 
 the exception of the article respecting the Lord's 
 supper, on which point they would be glad to explain 
 themselves in a conference. For the present, they 
 expressed themselves with caution ; for having said, 
 " The bread is the communion of the body," that is, 
 it is that which, when we receive, the Son of God is 
 
OF THE PERSECUTED PROTESTANTS. 261 
 
 really present, they added, " he makes us his mem- 
 bers by faith." 
 
 The clerg\- of Zurich, however, were decidedly 
 averse to a public disputation. They declared, that 
 they would attend no where without the permission 
 of the senate ; while, on the contrary, Calvin and his 
 friends asserted, " We do not consider ourselves 
 such slaves, as to be afraid to converse with others on 
 whatever may promote the weUbeing of the church." 
 Farel and Beza did not escape reproaches for having 
 conceded too much ; but the cry of distress from, 
 their brethren impelled them forward. ^NTien their 
 interference on behalf of these unfortunate people was 
 blamed, Farel exclaimed, " Oh, the satanic mahgnity 
 of these hearts, who will neither do any thing them- 
 selves for Christ, nor can endure that others should." 
 
 A new scene of exertion was now presented to 
 Farel. About three years before, on the decease of 
 Bishop Phihp, it was represented to the ministers 
 that a favourable reception would be given to a teacher 
 of the protestant doctrines in the diocese of Basle ; 
 but no one had yet been found courageous enough to 
 make the attempt. Farel's time had been fully oc- 
 cupied, as we have seen, with other important en- 
 gagements ; but no sooner were these fulfilled, than 
 he entered on an undertaking well adapted to the 
 intrepid ardour of his piety. The first place where 
 he preached was St. Leonard ; he met with no oppo- 
 sition, the people heard him gladly, and on his de- 
 parture many hundreds assembled to bid him farewell. 
 
262 
 
 EVENTS AT PRUNTRUT. 
 
 Accompanied by his old attendant, Emar Beynon, 
 the minister of Serrieres, he went from thence to 
 Pruntrut, where they were received in the most 
 friendly manner. The mayor and town-clerk supped 
 with them. The next day they appeared before the 
 council. The deep interest with which aU present 
 listened to Farel's address, rendered him more than 
 usually eloquent. The council received with appro- 
 bation and thankfulness the offer of his ministerial 
 services, but intimated that a future time would be 
 more suitable for their acceptance. Meanwhile, some 
 of the councillors were sent for by the bishop, who 
 inquired what was the object of this visit, and imme- 
 diately after summoned Farel and his companion. 
 The syndic, John Wandelin, thus addressed him: 
 " Farel, you came here formerly to sow your tares, 
 and having been sent away by the late bishop, have 
 refrained hitherto from repeating your attempt. We 
 may reasonably be astonished at your daring to ap- 
 pear here again ; but you are now advised, in a friendly 
 manner, to retire, before any mischief befall you." 
 Farel then stated the chief subject of ais preaching 
 to be, "Christ, and him crucified," and declared, that 
 to call such doctrine tares, was a grievous sin against 
 the Saviour, and contradictory to the holy Scrip- 
 tures. Besides, he had preached freely in Neustadt, 
 and elsewhere in the bishop's jurisdiction, without 
 being ever sent away, and had taught that which 
 was the surest means of uniting princes and people, 
 namely, obedience to Christ, the King of kings. He 
 
EVENTS AT PBUNTRUT. 
 
 263 
 
 had received his commission from Christ, and was 
 ready to submit to any punishment, if it could be 
 proved that he had preached false doctrine. The 
 syndic approved of his principles, but excused him- 
 self from reducing them to practice. He declared, 
 that since in the vale of Munster, and in the parts 
 under the Bernese government, the mass was not 
 tolerated, he would not permit its abolition within his 
 own jurisdiction. Farel took a friendly leave of the 
 inhabitants, and saw the multitudes of people no more, 
 whom the news of his an-ival had brought from all 
 quarters to Pruntrut. 
 
 Farel's appearance in the diocese was soon known 
 to the archbishop of Besancon, who forthwith sent a 
 grand-near to Pruntrut, accompanied by a monk, in 
 order to counteract the impression made in favour of 
 the evangehcal doctrine. The grand- vicar professed 
 himself ready to dispute with the preachers against their 
 false, impious, and scandalous tenets, and gave orders 
 that a courier should be despatched for him, if the here- 
 tical teachers came again, that he might redeem his 
 pledge. As soon as the people of Neufchatel heard 
 of this, they sent (by the advice of Von Wattenwyl) 
 Soral, minister of Budrv, vrith letters to the council of 
 Pruntrut. He arrived there on St. George's day, 
 and as the mayor and his deput}' were both absent, 
 some of the inhabitants who were sitting before their 
 houses courteously invited him to be their guest. 
 He had not been long in the place before the parish 
 priest came to him, and in a great rage accused him 
 
264 
 
 EVENTS AT PRUNTRUT. 
 
 of sowing tares, called him a deceiver and a teacher 
 of erroneous doctrine, and uttered very violent threats. 
 A nobleman also, after reviling him in a similar man- 
 ner, beat him with a club, till he was in imminent 
 peril of his life. 
 
 Farel, with his colleagues de Serrieres and Boudri, 
 now repaired once more to Pruntrut, On the way 
 and in the town itself they were assailed by some 
 priests, and in vain attempted to procure redress. 
 Nor were they more successful in their efforts to 
 bring about a public disputation, so that they were 
 obliged to return without having accomphshed the 
 objects of their mission. 
 
 This attempt to gain a footing in Pruntrut, excited a 
 great sensation, not only in Besan9on, but throughout 
 Burgundy. The archbishop and council of Besan9on, 
 the parliament of Dobe, and the lord of Vergy wrote 
 to the Bernese, to forbid their preachers from teaching 
 beyond their own territoiy. The bishop of Basle 
 also sent a message to prevent such visits. To gain 
 over the inhabitants of Pruntrut, the archbishop dis- 
 tributed absolutions, and dispensed with the order 
 for fasting. Still, however, the people showed a par- 
 tiality to Farel and the reformed doctrine. In the fol- 
 lowing Lent, fresh means were employed to retain them 
 in their ancient faith. The prior of the Dominicans at 
 Besan^on, a doctor of the Sorbonne, and an inquisitor, 
 reviled Farel, Calvin, and Viret, as "deceivers, here- 
 tics, and false prophets." The parish priest of Nair- 
 mont preached in a similar strain. 
 
VARIOUS CAUSES OF ANXIETY. 
 
 265 
 
 After Farel had received repeated accounts of these 
 proceedings, he hastened to Berne. He arrived 
 there on a hoUday, a time when it was not easy to 
 obtain an audience ; but the baihff NageU expressed 
 himself willing to assemble the senate after Di%-ine 
 sennce. The venerable minister was, however, obhged 
 to stand for an hour before Von Wattenwj'l's door, 
 exposed to the inclemency of the weather and the 
 gaze of the people, and at length was received very 
 ungraciously. He was so far successful, however, in 
 his application to the senate, that they decided on 
 writing to the bishop of Basle and the council of 
 Pruntrut, to demand that the monk should be brought 
 to trial. The answer received by the government 
 of Berne was partly exculpator\^ asserting that the 
 monk had spoken nothing injurious to their honour, 
 or to that of others ; partly accusaton*-, alleging 
 that Farel had published some noted tracts, respecting 
 which he would perhaps be brought to trial himself. 
 Calvin also had no incHnation to involve himself and 
 the Genevese in the dispute. "When urged bv Farel, 
 he repUed, " It would be a strange thing were I to 
 require justice against a monk at a distance when I 
 am daily reviled as a heretic before the gates of 
 Geneva I " 
 
 A varietj' of cares and occupations devolved on 
 Farel, besides these journeys on behalf of the church. 
 He was consulted on the affairs of foreign churches, 
 which were often of a complicated and critical nature. 
 The divisions of the French church at Frankfort caused 
 
266 VARIOUS CAUSES OF ANXIETY. 
 
 him much trouble. He was much interested with the 
 case of Haubrac, a learned French schoolmaster, who 
 had narrowly escaped the flames, and was still perse- 
 cuted by the Roman Catholic for having read the 
 gospels in the chapel at Lignieres, and for speaking 
 contemptuously of the mass to some people of Lande- 
 ron, who had in consequence violently assaulted him. 
 
 The whole district, as well as himself, was exposed 
 to danger, in consequence of the numerous intrigues 
 to detach it from the government of the duchess of 
 LongueviUe, and to expel the protestant doctrine. 
 The duchess came herself into the district. She con- 
 versed gladly on religion, and showed much zeal in 
 its behalf. Whilst at Geneva, she wished, at Farel's 
 suggestion, to have an interview with Calvin. The 
 decision of the senate of Berne obviated the danger, 
 and the hope increased, that the few remains of 
 popery would soon disappear. 
 
 Farel's celebrity occasioned his being visited by 
 many foreigners. Among this number, besides several 
 Poles, was Lissman, a learned Greek, who solicited 
 him to draw up an appeal to the Polish church, and 
 to some of the nobles, as well as to the king himself, 
 if he thought proper. But while he was held in such 
 consideration in other countries, he often had to la- 
 ment the little good effected by his personal labours 
 at home. In one of his letters, he says, " Every 
 thing with us is in confusion ; no church discipUne is 
 exercised, no one is on the watch, nor is any thing 
 done to guide the wandering sheep into the right path. 
 
VARIOUS CAUSES OF ANXIETY. 
 
 267 
 
 Every thing tends to evil, and all that is good is in dan- 
 ger." He felt more and more that he stood alone. On 
 hearing of PeUican's death, the images of his deceased 
 friends, O^colampadius, Bucer, Capito, ZuingUus, and 
 Gn,Ti3eus passed in solemn and affecting review be- 
 fore his mind. Pellican's love of peace especially 
 delighted him, and he wished that all who were en- 
 dowed with distinguished abilities might cultivate the 
 same lovely temper which this good man exhibited to 
 the ver)- end of his life. None pleased him more 
 than those lovers of peace who exerted all their 
 powers for the restoration of unanimity. 
 
CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 farel s marriage dispute respecting excom. 
 
 munication journeys undertaken for the 
 
 waldenses and into france landeron 
 
 Calvin's death — journey to metz — sickness 
 and death. 
 
 " God created woman to be a help meet for man, 
 especially in the holy state of matrimony. To help 
 is the aim of love. Marriage binds the parties to a 
 strict outward union ; but how much more should it 
 promote that unity of spirit which rests upon affec- 
 tion and true friendship ! We clearly see in tho'se 
 married persons who live according to the Divine 
 law, how the affection of the one sympathizes with 
 the comfort or discomfort of the other. The man 
 rejoices in the welfare of his wife, and the woman in 
 the welfare of her husband. Her sorrows trouble 
 him ; while she not only grieves for his sufferings, 
 but, if her spouse be absent, joy depaits till he re- 
 turns to her. What sacrifices are too great for her 
 to make, if he is ill ; and what will he regard as too 
 great, if he can thereby restore her to health ? So 
 
farel's marriage. 
 
 •269 
 
 strong is their love, that they would with joy endure 
 for each other the sharpest sufferings. To those who 
 wish to make progress in every virtue, what oppor- 
 tunities for the performance of the most sacred 
 duties does this state present ! What joy is felt, 
 when progress is made in true goodness, and how 
 it stirs up to constant and mutual improvement ! If 
 any thing unpropitious occurs, how does the most 
 active and tender sj-mpathy develope itself ! So true 
 it is, that the duties of love cannot be performed in 
 any state so completely as in that of holy matrimony. 
 He, who himself ' is love ' instituted, honoured, and 
 commanded it ; but he who was a murderer from 
 the beginning, and hatred itself, has (as far as lay in 
 his power) annulled, disgraced, and forbidden it." 
 
 Such were Farel's views of the marriage state, 
 which, from the beginning of the reformation, it was 
 in general considered obhgatory on the preachers of 
 the gospel to enter, that they might not be exposed 
 to the suspicion of those excesses which the conduct 
 of the popish priests had connected with the very 
 idea of celibacy. While, however, he enjoined this 
 duty on others, he did not feel himself justified in 
 entering upon it, during that stormy period of his 
 life, in which the ties of so endeared a connexion 
 would have been in such constant danger of being 
 broken by a violent death. But as he advanced in 
 years, he felt the need of domestic solace and assist- 
 ance. The wHdow and daughter of Alexander Torel 
 of Rouen, had fled to Neufchatel, in order to enjoy 
 
270 
 
 FAREL S MARRIAGE. 
 
 the free exercise of their rehgion. The mother had 
 long kept house for Farel, and the daughter was no 
 longer young. His choice fell upon the latter. He 
 communicated his intention to Calvin, who approved 
 of his choice, and foreseeing that such a step would 
 occasion much remark, advised him not to delay, but 
 to be immediately publicly betrothed, and then, until 
 the marriage ceremony was performed, to withdraw 
 himself, as decorum required. By delay, the affair 
 became more pubhc than Farel expected. He was 
 now nearly seventy, and people who had been so 
 long accustomed to see him single, were astonished 
 that a man, who, in all probability was on the bor- 
 ders of the grave, should think of taking a wife ; but 
 men who were destitute of religious principle were 
 very incompetent judges of his conduct, and most of 
 his friends, on becoming better acquainted with his 
 reasons for it, acknowledged their importance. After 
 the bans had been thrice published, Farel set off on 
 a journey. He committed the management of the 
 church to Fabri, and entrusted his intended bride to 
 the care of his friend, Biilot, a pious French refugee. 
 The objects he had principally in view were, to pro- 
 cure a conference, in order to effect a closer union 
 with the Lutherans, and obtain assistance for Prun- 
 trut. He returned in December, and was man-ied in 
 the course of that month. Six years after, he be- 
 came the father of a son, who did not long sun-ive 
 him. 
 
 The reputation of Farel, as a zealous champion of 
 
DISPUTE RESPECTING EXCOMMUNICATION. 271 
 
 the reformation, occasioned numerous applications, 
 either for his advice by letter, or his personal inter- 
 ference. He visited Strasburg for the purpose of 
 assisting the protestants at Metz, who had lately- 
 made an application, which promised to be success- 
 ful, for the protection of their worship in pubhc. He 
 also undertook a journey on behalf of the Waldenses 
 to Neustadt, Biel, Basle, and Mullhausen. Not long 
 after his return home, he received letters, inforaing 
 him of the spread of the gospel in France, and 
 stating that many hundred churches, among whom 
 mass had been abolished, were longing for faithful 
 pastors. He also received a special invitation to his 
 native town, Gap, and at the same his colleague Fabri 
 was urged to visit Vienne. Accordingly they went, 
 accompanied by Ej-nard Pichon, minister of Dombres- 
 son. Farel, who had often lamented his being com- 
 pelled to live like an exile fi'om the land of his fathers, 
 trod with peculiar feelings his native soil, which he 
 now revisited after an absence of forty years. He 
 arrived at Gap about the middle of November, and 
 was received with joy and veneration, as the honoured 
 instrument of leading thousands " from darkness to 
 light." Multitudes thronged to hear his first ser- 
 mon, so that the church could not contain them, and 
 he was hstened to with profound and uninterrupted 
 attention. The sjTidics had previously requested the 
 bishop's vicar to prevent disturbance, and he kept 
 his -word. As Farel wished to avoid the reproach of 
 acting clandestinely, he waited in the course of the 
 
272 DISPUTE RESPECTING EXCOMMUNICATION. 
 
 same Sunday on the vice-mayor, accompanied by the 
 chief syndic and the king's advocate. He was im- 
 mediately asked who had sent for him, and given 
 him authority to preach, since the royal edict had 
 forbidden all such meetings under pain of death. 
 Farel replied to these inquiries, and justified his con- 
 duct by an appeal to the Scriptures, and to recent 
 events which had occurred since the publication of 
 the edict ; alluding to the fact, that the brethren who 
 were present at the disputation at Poissy had preached 
 before the king, and that at Lyons and other places 
 the gospel was openly published. The vice-mayor 
 then requested him to refrain from preaching till he 
 had informed the parhament of Grenoble and the 
 governor. Farel, on the other hand, exhorted him 
 to listen to the evangelical doctrine, describing the 
 happy consequences of receiving it, and the awful 
 punishment of those who opposed it. He was 
 honourably conducted back again to the inn, and the 
 same evening baptized a child. 
 
 On the following evening all public meetings and 
 the use of the churches were forbidden to the re- 
 formed party. The next morning, as Farel was coming 
 out of the church, a servant of the vice- mayor deli- 
 vered to him the prohibition, with a trembling hand. 
 In the afternoon, the friends of the gospel met for 
 prayer, and resolved to continue stedfast in the pro- 
 fession of that faith for which so many had already 
 sacrificed their lives. They demanded of the vice- 
 mayor a statement in writing of what he had done. 
 
JOURNEYS FOR THE WALDENSES. 
 
 273 
 
 in order to make an appeal to the king and his coun- 
 cillors. 
 
 Farel felt as if his "youth was renewed" in his 
 native place, on beholding the fields thus ripe for 
 han-est. He made no personal attacks on the priests, 
 who showed more anxiety about tribute and tithes, 
 than about the doctrines of religion. But he dis- 
 suaded his hearers from anniversaries, masses for the 
 dead, dispensations, absolutions, ike, as being con- 
 trar}' to the dictates of an enhghtened conscience. 
 He was much perplexed at the thoughts of leaving 
 a place where there was still so much to be done 
 and arranged. He entreated Calvin to send a preacher, 
 to take charge of the rising congregation, until he 
 could find a suitable iJerson, or return himself ; for at 
 present he could not, consistently with his duty, leave 
 his oym post. He did not confine his labours to 
 Gap. He met the friends of the reformation at 
 Grenoble, and made a deep impression, by an address 
 which he dehvered at the house of a merchant. He 
 appointed his companion Pichon to be preacher 
 there. 
 
 Soon after his return, hostihties recommenced in 
 France, by which Fabri in Vienne, and likewise the 
 church at Gap, were placed in circumstances of the 
 greatest danger. During his absence, the Duchess 
 of LongueviUe had arrived at Neufchatel with her 
 son. The ministers availed themselves of her coming 
 to settle several ecclesiastical questions. A synod 
 was held, which confirmed anew the customarj- mode 
 
274 
 
 LANDEROX. 
 
 of choosing the preachers, and attempted finally to 
 regulate church discipline, and to promote schools, 
 of which several places in the country were still des- 
 titute. At Neufchatel they requested the aid of 
 some well-qualified instructors, and the appointment 
 of a female teacher for the girls. 
 
 The duchess coiTcsponded with Calvin as long as 
 she remained in the country, but could not obtain his 
 presence at the synod. In his letters, he praises 
 the courage and stedfastness of the duchess in her 
 profession of the faith. In France, the persecuted 
 foimd in her house a refuge and place of defence. 
 Not long before her arrival Lignieres adopted the 
 reformation. 
 
 In Landeron, the reformation could not be estab- 
 lished, owing to the influence of Solothum ; though, 
 according to report, the popish party prevailed only 
 by the majority of a single vote. The vicar of 
 Landeron was appointed by Berne, but as the majo- 
 rity had decided against having a protestant preacher, 
 the government received the revenues, and the 
 parish maintained a priest at its own charge. 
 
 Various irregularities prevailed in the country, of 
 which the governor made complaints to the senate 
 of Berne. "When the duchess arrived at Landeron with 
 the young duke, she wished, according to her usual 
 custom, to have the protestant service performed the 
 next morning by a preacher who accompanied her. 
 The inhabitants were assured that no allusion would 
 be made to the catholic religion, nor any one be 
 
LANDERON. 
 
 275 
 
 compelled to attend, since the service would be held 
 only for the duchess and her retinue. It was further 
 intimated, that as the ruler of the land, she con- 
 sidered herself to have a right to the free exercise of 
 her religion, especially since she allowed the same 
 liberty to her subjects ; but it was all in vain. The 
 authorities of the town were the first to take arms, 
 and with rude threats and covered heads, declared 
 that they would throw the preacher from the pulpit. 
 The duchess mildly pointed out the impropriety of 
 preventing their natural sovereign from attending 
 on the preaching of the gospel, and the exercises 
 of christian devotion ; but her condescension was 
 unavailing. The alarm-bell was rung; the inhabit- 
 ants armed themselves, surrounded the chapel, and 
 obliged the duchess to desist from her purpose. 
 
 Farel heard of this transaction with great indig- 
 nation, but believed that the priests were more to 
 blame than the people. The duchess treated him 
 with great kindness, and rendered him important aid 
 in many unpleasant affairs. His attention was now 
 chiefly directed towards France, where his friends 
 Fabri and Viret were labouring with great success. 
 He was especially glad to receive intelligence respect- 
 ing the much persecuted church at Gap. He en- 
 couraged and comforted his brethren, and when the 
 plague broke out at Lyons, he exhorted them to 
 employ every effort to destroy the far more dangerous 
 plague of popery. They, on their part, fulfilled their 
 vocation with equal affection and stedfastness. They 
 T 2 
 
276 
 
 CALVIN S DEATH. 
 
 visited not only those of their own persuasion, who 
 were ill of the plague, but the Roman Catholics also, 
 and were ready to sacrifice every thing, even life 
 itself, for the gospel. " Neither my own life, nor 
 my spouse, nor my children," said Fabri, " are so 
 dear to me as my Lord Jesus, and liis church." 
 
 Scarcely any event affected Farel so deeply as the 
 loss of Calvin, whose earthly tabernacle, weakened 
 by intense labour and repeated sickness, at length 
 gave way. When his end appi-oached, he wrote as 
 follows to Farel : — " Farewell, my best and dearest 
 l)rother ! Since it is God's will that you should sur- 
 vive me, keep in remembrance our friendship, which, 
 as far as it has been useful to the church of God, will 
 bear fruit for us in heaven. I do not wish that you 
 should come hither on my account. I am still suf- 
 fering from difficulty of breathing, and expect every 
 moment to be my last. My consolation is that of 
 living and dying to Christ, who bestows unspeakable 
 blessings on his people, both in life and death. To 
 you and the brethren, I once more say, farewell! " 
 Farel immediately set out to take leave of his friend, 
 and returned the next day, having had a very affec- 
 tionate interview with him. " Oh, that I might 
 have died for him!" he exclaimed, when he heard 
 of his death. " What an admirable course has he 
 happily terminated ! God grant, that we may finish 
 our course in hke manner, according to the grace 
 which he bestowed upon us ! " He thanked God 
 fervently, that, contrary to his expectations, Calvin 
 
DEPUTATION" FROM MEXTZ. 
 
 277 
 
 had been brought to Geneva, where he had done 
 and suffered so much. The case of the church at 
 Geneva, after this irreparable loss, lay heavy on his 
 heart. 
 
 Farel had, besides this heavy stroke, many trials 
 to endure in Xeufchatcl ; but in promoting the 
 welfare of others he forgot his own distresses, and 
 became less irritated and wounded by opposition. 
 Objections had been constantly made to the disci- 
 phne of the church, and when new difficulties arose, 
 Farel was appointed as dean, with five other brethren, 
 to wait on the governor, and submit the regulations 
 to his inspection. He regularly communicated an 
 account of whatever took place both in and out of the 
 church, to Viret and Fabri. The latter testified, 
 that during the one and thirty years in which he had 
 been his companion and colleague at Minten, Geneva, 
 Orbe, Granson, Thonon, and, for the third time, at 
 Neufchatel, no misunderstanding had ever arisen be- 
 tween them. 
 
 In Lorraine, the reformation continued to make 
 great progress, and spread particularly among the 
 nobility. In consequence of the misrepresentations 
 of the clergy, they sent a deputation to several pro- 
 testant courts and states in Germany, requesting 
 them to intercede on their behalf with the duke. A 
 deputation of this kind came to Berne, with letters 
 from the reformed preachers in Metz, On this and 
 other accounts, Farel felt a desire to visit once more 
 the church for which he had formerly suffered so 
 
278 
 
 farel's journey to mentz. 
 
 much, and made such efforts to protect it from per- 
 secution. The ministers consented to his undertaking 
 the journey, and, to protect him at his advanced age 
 from danger, the senate commissioned one of their 
 number, Jonas Favargier, to accompany him. He 
 was received at Metz by the senior ministers, and the 
 whole church, with extraordinary respect and joy. 
 On the very day of his arrival, he delivered a power- 
 ful discourse, which inspired the friends of the re- 
 formation with fresh energy. But the exertion was 
 too much for his debilitated frame, and on his return 
 from the service, his strength was gone, and he was 
 obliged to take to his bed. He was visited by people 
 of aU ranks. He exhorted every one, according to 
 his station, to support the institutions and laws, both 
 civil and ecclesiastical, and to promote to the utmost 
 the welfare of the country and the church. With a 
 dignity becoming a faithful minister of the gospel, 
 he encouraged his brethren to approve themselves 
 worthy of their vocations by their assiduity, faithful- 
 ness, and sincerity. He comforted and edified all 
 that came to him, by his paternal advice. Every one 
 was astonished at his patience and resignation. His 
 friends, amazed at his fortitude, said to one another, 
 " See, this man is the very same as he has always 
 been ! We never knew him dejected, even when 
 danger made our spirits fail. When we were ready 
 to give up every thing, he remained stedfast, firmly 
 confiding in his Lord, and cheering us by his chris- 
 tian heroism !" 
 
HIS DEATH. 
 
 279 
 
 He made the same profession of faith in God and 
 the Saviour which he had expressed in his will, and 
 after languishing some weeks, gently fell asleep on 
 the 13th of September, 1565, in the se vent}-- sixth 
 year of his age, fifteen months and fourteen days 
 after his friend Calvin's departure. He was buried 
 in the churchyard, about six paces from the great 
 portal on the north side. Not only his own con- 
 gregation, but all the churches of Neufchatel and 
 Nalangin deeply lamented his decease. His pro- 
 pert\% as well as his whole life, had been devoted to 
 the cause of God, so that he only left behind him 
 about 300 hvres, Neufchatel currency. His first 
 biographer remarks, that "without lessening the 
 praise and commendation due to any one, Farel, in re- 
 ference to his anxiety, toil and exertions in the work 
 of the reformation and the ministerial office, and his 
 entire self-consecration, stood in the ver\' first rank." 
 
 The senior ministers, anxious that his merits should 
 be known to posterity, proposed that materials should 
 be collected for his biography, and that the aid of his 
 friends in Geneva and Lyons should be requested for 
 that purpose. Five weeks after his death, by the 
 advice of the Genevese, Viret was chosen to be his 
 successor, but on declining that honour, the choice 
 fell upon Christopher Libert et Fabri. 
 
 The memory of Farel was held sacred by the people 
 of Neufchatel. They spoke with veneration of the 
 ministiy of their much loved father, and in the deh- 
 berations of the ministers it was often said, " So it was 
 
280 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 in our father Farel's time;" or, "So father Farel 
 would have ordered it." 
 
 Calvin and Farel had always manifested an attach- 
 ment to the church at Zurich, though they differed 
 from it in some points, particularly in reference to 
 discipUne. When the Helvetic confession appeared, 
 and was published at Geneva in the French language, 
 the ministers of Neufchatel were mortified that their 
 church had been overlooked. They vtTote, therefore, 
 to the clergy of Zurich, assuring them that their sen- 
 timents respecting the Lord's supper were imchanged, 
 and in accordance with their own, as they had been 
 during Farel's lifetime. To correct the mistaken 
 notion that their ministers could do nothing in eccle- 
 siastical matters without the consent of the govern- 
 ment, they declared to their brethren at Zurich, 
 " When our forefathers, by the grace of God, received 
 the doctrines of the gospel, it was done without the 
 consent, and even with the disapprobation of the 
 government. For, by God's grace, we have so much 
 liberty, that in religious matters no one can exercise 
 any power over us. If our departed friend Farel had 
 done nothing in his vocation without such consent, 
 he would never have established the reformation 
 amongst us." 
 
 The preceding narrative will have clearly defined 
 the general outline of Farel's character. A few addi- 
 tional traits may render it more complete. The 
 unshaken firmness he displayed in the greatest danger, 
 was the eff"ect of faith and prayer. " Never," said 
 
GENERAL REMARK! 
 
 281 
 
 he, " will a messenger of God and a faithful preacher 
 of the gospel give way to his adversaries, since God, 
 according to his promise, imparts to his servants a 
 power of utterance and wisdom which none can re- 
 sist." There was no Divine promise to which he 
 referred so often as to this. Prayer was the element 
 in which he lived. In his letters and writings he 
 often breaks out into thanksgivings, prayers, and in- 
 tercessions ; or calls upon God to arrest the opposers 
 of his kingdom. Such was the inwrought earnest- 
 ness of his supplications, that they often raised the 
 hearts of all who heard them to heaven. Equally 
 conscientious and courageous, he was anxious to act 
 in all things according to the will of God. When 
 he withdrew from Geneva with Calvin, and, lament- 
 ing the destitute state of the church, was doubtful 
 whether, notwithstanding their banishment, they ought 
 to have left it, he was encouraged by his friend's ex- 
 pression, " We do not desert the church, the church 
 has deserted us." 
 
 He was faithful to his friends, and served them 
 with all that he had. When he heard of their being 
 in distress or danger, it cost him much anxious 
 thought whether he should remain at home, or hasten 
 to their aid. His deep aifection for Calvin was on 
 many occasions strikingly manifested, and he was 
 very sensible how much he was honom-ed in possess- 
 ing his friendship. "I cannot tell you," said he, 
 " what I owe you. May Christ, who is my treasurer, 
 and himself my supreme treasure, reward you for it." 
 He not only entreated Calvin, but frequently urged 
 
282 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 him with great vehemence to write one commentary 
 after another, from a conviction that he possessed 
 the gifts requisite for exposition in a very extraordi- 
 nary manner, and that, with the hlessing of God, his 
 works of this kind woidd he extensively useful. 
 " Being an inconsiderable man myself," said he, "I 
 am wont to require very much fi-om those that pos- 
 sess the greatest excellence, and often press them 
 hard to labour beyond their strength." 
 
 It was his conviction, that every one who had re- 
 ceived superior talents was bound to devote them to 
 the advancement of the kingdom of God. He was 
 therefore particularly displeased with those " who 
 had received distinguished gifts from the Holy Spirit; 
 understood the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages ; 
 possessed an extensive knowledge of divine and hu- 
 man things, and yet, from want of a sound and chris- 
 tian judgment; or for self-interest, in order to gain 
 riches or official situations, or to avoid the cross, 
 abused their valuable gifts to oppose the truth, and 
 maintain falsehood, to the dishonour of God, and the 
 injury of their fellow-men ; or else buried their ta- 
 lents, and were of no use to others." It was his 
 opinion that every one should put out his talents to 
 interest, like the faithful servants in the parable, but 
 without fear. Hence, he considered Melancthon, 
 whom on other accounts he honoured, as blameable 
 for his reluctance to bold and decisive measures such 
 as he always adopted himself, and exhorted his friends 
 to pursue. 
 
 Although Calvin and others frequently consulted 
 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 283 
 
 him, and his judgment was much esteemed, yet he 
 thought meanly of himself, and mistrusted his own 
 powers. In matters of importance he seldom acted 
 alone. Though honoured by others as a veteran 
 soldier of Christ, he was never heard recounting his 
 own merits or sufferings. If he encouraged his 
 friends, or gave them, advice, he merely gave his 
 opinion as under correction, and excused himself with 
 the Latin proverb, Ne sus minervam docet. He was 
 often dissatisfied with himself, since he frequently 
 prescribed himself tasks above his strength, and acted 
 more under the influence of sudden excitement than 
 of patient resolution. 
 
 His character was strongly marked by frankness 
 and candour, so that CEcolampadius, in writing to 
 Luther, justly remarked, that he could be known the 
 first hour any one was in his company. But with 
 these virtues he also had the failings so frequently 
 connected with them. He was not sufficiently cir- 
 cumspect and prudent as to what he said, and before 
 whom he spoke. He yielded himself up too much to 
 first impressions, and often used stronger language 
 against those who diff'ered from him, than the occa- 
 sion would justify. 
 
 He fearlessly opposed persons of the highest rank, 
 if he disapproved of their counsels ; and yet, no 
 sooner did they require his aid, than he was ready to 
 do them any kind service in his power. He was 
 especially prompt to assist the poor. He consecrated 
 his property, as well as his mental powers, to the 
 service of the kingdom of God. His persecuted 
 
284 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 countrymen were the particular objects of his sym- 
 pathy. Without undervaluing other nations, he 
 clung with strong attachment to his own people. 
 Once, on applying the expression of the poet respect- 
 ing the Cretans, to a Fleming, he prefaced it by 
 saying, " I do not willingly make a distinction be- 
 tween one nation and another." 
 
 Inflexible in his principles, he blamed even his best 
 friends when they undertook any thing which ap- 
 peared to him improper. Undoubtedly, his zeal often 
 carried him beyond due bounds ; and instances of 
 this (many of which, perhaps, stand upon very in- 
 sufficient evidence) have been generally reported, and 
 will descend to posterity ; while no notice has been 
 taken of the unobtrusive proofs he gave of modera- 
 tion, patience, meekness, and placability. He often 
 exemplified his own remark ; ' ' Every good man will 
 yield to others, and even give up his own rights if it 
 promotes the benefit of others, and prevents the 
 wicked from acting wickedly." 
 
 The ardour of his character was shown in his 
 strenuous opposition to popery, and to every thing 
 connected with it. He manifested, if possible, stiU 
 greater zeal against the Libertines, whose doctrines 
 were subversive of all religion and morality. He also 
 poured forth his indignation against those worthless 
 preachers, (generally monks,) who exceeded in de- 
 pravity the worst of their flock, neglected their 
 churches, went about as comedians, and forsook their 
 studies for the tavern. 
 
 He was aware of the natural warmth of his tem- 
 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 285 
 
 per, and took pains to keep it under control. His 
 letters bore the impress of his ardent spirit, even in 
 their form. It often gave him trouble to begin a 
 letter, but when he had once entered on a subject, 
 he scarcely knew when to leave off. The same was 
 the case with his sermons. Both friends and foes 
 acknowledged him to be in the pulpit a Boanerges, a 
 son of thunder. Animated, ardent, scriptural, and 
 practical ; making poweiful appeals to the heart, or 
 probing it by varied and searching inten'Ogatories, 
 mingled with prayer to the Searcher of hearts, he 
 carried his auditory away as with a torrent. Men of 
 all ranks and classes, from the senator to the peasant, 
 confessed the power of his eloquence. Strangers of 
 rank came from a great distance to hear him preach. 
 On one occasion, expressing his abhorrence of those 
 who forbad the use of the holy Scriptures, he ex- 
 claimed, " My God, what an abomination ! Canst 
 thou, O sun, shed thy beams on such a country- ! 
 Canst thou, O earth, bear such people upon thee, and 
 yield thy fruits to those who thus despise their Cre- 
 ator I And thou, O God, art thou so compassionate, 
 so slow to wrath and vengeance against those who 
 commit such great wickedness, and sin against thee ! 
 Hast thou not appointed thy Son, King over all ? 
 Shall that holy revelation which thou hast imparted 
 through him for our instruction, be forbidden as a 
 useless, and even dangerous document to those who 
 read it ? Arise, O Lord ! Show that it is thy will 
 that thy Son should be honoured, and the sacred 
 
286 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS, 
 
 statutes of his kingdom should be known and ob- 
 served by all. Let the trumpet of thy holy gospel 
 sound throughout the world ! Grant strength to all 
 true evangelists, and destroy all the propagators of 
 error, that the whole earth may serve thee, and call 
 on thy name with the profoundest adoration ! " Hav- 
 ing himself witnessed the fulfilment of those words 
 of the Lord, " I am not come to send peace on earth, 
 but a sword," he placed over the sword in his family 
 arms, the motto "Quid volo, nisi ut ardeat?" 
 " What would 1, but that it were kindled?" Luke, 
 xii. 49. 
 
 He had a vivid sense of the dignity of the minis- 
 terial office. " Wherever the holy word of God is 
 preached, and the sacraments administered and 
 received," he remarked, " there is a Christian 
 church. The keys of the kingdom of heaven are 
 the knowledge of God, the word of God, especially 
 the holy gospel, (that food of the soul!) and those 
 gifts which no man can give to another, but which 
 God alone communicates by his Holy Spirit. Christ 
 is the chief Shepherd. He will be the best under 
 shepherd who treads most closely in his footsteps ; 
 and he who is farthest from him, approaches nearest 
 to antichrist." 
 
 Farel's last production, entitled, " On the true 
 Use of the Cross of Jesus Christ ; on its abuse, and 
 the idolatry practised with it : also on the authority 
 of the word of God and human traditions, with a 
 preface, by Viret;" was a tribute of gratitude to the 
 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 287 
 
 Di\ane goodness for rescuing him from that blind 
 idolatn- in which he had been educated. He was 
 carried back in imagination to those times in which 
 he thought himself capable of exorcising evil spirits 
 by the sign of the cross. He called to remembrance 
 his first pilgrimage into the holy mountains, to a 
 holy cross near Tallard, in the diocese of Gap, said 
 to have been taken from the Lord's cross itself, and 
 how he afterwards adored at Paris another cross, 
 which it was pretended was made from the same, 
 although the wood was of a different kind. These 
 recollections filled him with penitential sorrow ; and 
 the more deeply such superstitions had once been 
 rooted in his mind, the more was he impelled in his 
 old age to write against them, in order that aU who 
 had been infected with the same poison might be 
 cured as he had been. He considered the legend of 
 the finding of the s, as the origin of image 
 worship. Hp rf* it by external and internal 
 evidence an. .need at the same time extensive 
 reading and a correct appreciation of the fathers of 
 the church, as well as much candour in his estimate 
 of the character of Constantine. He argued very 
 warmly against the adoration of the cross, although 
 it was urged that people did not adore the cross, but 
 celebrate through its medium the benefits sirising 
 from the Lord's death uporj it. He admitted that 
 this elevation of the mind 1. \n the sign to the thing 
 signified, might be possible with a few individuals ; 
 but as the great mass of the people never rise be- 
 yond externals, that which is external, and is not 
 
2SS GENERAL iUlvS. 
 
 commaTided by Christ, must be |>ut away. Owing to 
 the r.ropehsity of mankiuft to be enthralled by the 
 objects of sense, he looked rpoi the use of images, 
 even when not professedly worshipped, as always a 
 great temptation to idolatry. 
 
 He confirmed the authoritv of the holy Scriptures, 
 and showed, by the testimr. .. x t :e primitive fathers, 
 that they were the only v > t ( hristian faith and 
 practice, and proved tl'i t ' cion of ceremonies 
 
 and external spleiaSur, vu' scrvtd to diminish the 
 <^lory of the gospel, and to , obscure the radiance of 
 th'- great Sun of Righteousness, Jesus Christ. He 
 evouraged Count John of Nassau, to whom he 
 dedicated the treatise, o tread in the steps of his 
 brother Adolphus, t '. to remove out of the way 
 every thing which exalted itself against Christ and 
 his gospel. " Let us," he concludes, " beseech our 
 blessed Lord, that he woulcicvoj-^p^ o\it of all a pure 
 and holy churc)i, free from i ^j^g g^.S/*'*^ °f popery, 
 and fi-on; -11 human traditions, so t^tj^p esi%,.and his 
 commands shall alone be honoured, in ail purity and 
 siniphe y, so that 'We may live in him without spot, 
 and he in us, by true faith, serving God our Father, 
 who ever liveth and reigneth vfith the Son and the 
 Holy Ghost. Amen !" 
 
 TIIF END. 
 
 1,' itr, Trrnter, Boli-foiut, Flett-streoi.