[84] To my most excellent friend and brother, William Farel,
faithful minister of the church at Neuchatel.
William Farel, the most illustrious missionary of the Reformation in
French Switzerland, was born at Gap, in Dauphiny, (1509?) He studied
at the University of Paris, under the direction of the learned Le
Fevre of Etaples, whose friendship he speedily obtained, and shared
with him the same faith. Of an ardent spirit, and gifted with an
impetuous eloquence, he preached the doctrines of the Reformation
successively at Paris, at Meaux, in Dauphiny. In 1524 he left
France, when he retired to Strasbourg, and brought over to the new
doctrine (as the true doctrine of the Gospel was termed at that
time) the Duchy of Montbeliard, Bienne, Morat, Neuchatel, Aigle,
Geneva. Driven at first from the latter town in 1532, he reappeared
there, and was thereupon banished. On the 27th August 1535, he
obtained the famous declaration which restored the Reformation. In
less than two years afterwards he was banished from Geneva along
with his colleague Calvin, whom he followed to Basle, and became, in
the month of July 1538, pastor of the church of Neuchatel, which he
served until his death (13th Sept. 1565) with indefatigable activity.
Having been called as minister by the Church of Neuchatel, Farel had
left Basle precipitately, without taking leave of Calvin, then on
his journey to Strasbourg. On returning to Basle, Calvin wrote the
following letter to his old colleague, which is one of the earliest
in the long correspondence which they kept up with each other.
Farel called as minister to the Church of Neuchatel--sad
condition of the Church at Geneva--uncertainty of
Calvin--Bucer's urgency to draw him to Strasbourg.
BASLE, _4th August 1538_.
The grace of the Lord be with you. The person who had brought back
the horse, promised that he would return after three days. When,
after the lapse of five days, I had ceased to expect him, I began to
look about for a messenger. For I knew that as soon as my silence
began to appear to you to be longer than it ought, you would impute
it to carelessness as well as indolence. But while these were my
thoughts, lo, the messenger presented himself upon the spot, who
informed me of your departure two days before he came away. With
regard to your letter, that elaborate lament over your own clownish
simplicity with which you furnished me for Grynée, I have carefully
complied with. When dinner-time arrived, I told Grynée that I
observed from your letter the rain somewhat had slackened your
wonted speed: whereupon, by your riding at so slow a pace, Simon
remembered that you were a rustic. Thereafter also I read to him
your letter, and added, of my own accord, what appeared to me to be
required in the way of serious apology. In regard to him, so little
need was there of clearing yourself, that he would have complied
good-humouredly with your infectious anxiety, if the business in
which he is now completely immersed had not stood in the way. How
our successors[85] are likely to get on, I can conjecture from
the first beginnings. While already they entirely break off every
appearance of peace by their want of temper, they suppose that the
best course for themselves to pursue was to tear in pieces our
estimation, publicly and privately, so as to render us as odious as
possible. But if we know that they cannot calumniate us, excepting
in so far as God permits, we know also the end God has in view in
granting such permission. Let us humble ourselves, therefore, unless
we wish to strive with God when he would humble us. Meanwhile, let
us wait upon God. For the crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim
will speedily wither. I could wish that you had not so much anxiety
on my account. Since your departure, I have begun to consider more
attentively what it may be right to be prepared for in case of
emergency. It cannot be told how this apprehension torments me,
lest those who measure us by their own standard, because conscience
accuses themselves, may think that we have fixed designedly upon
our present abode as convenient for the purpose of retaliating
injuries, and so may set themselves to contrive some new contests,
and take no rest until they have stirred up some fresh disturbances
against us. When I am out of the way, suspicion will not be so apt
to arise. For no one will be so utterly malignant as to suppose
that we intend anything farther. But if you do not at once come
hither, we must put off until the meeting become hopeless, which the
Strasburghers always insist on our requiring; or if we obtain it,
the result will teach us what we ought to do. This above all, in the
name of the Lord, I entreat of you, that you do determine nothing
about me without first of all giving me a previous warning. You will
perceive, from Bucer's letter, what are his present sentiments. He
has communicated certain other matters to Grynée in writing, which
I have not yet had an opportunity of reading. I strongly suspect,
however, that they tend to the point of my hastening thither, which
I shall not comply with, unless a greater necessity convinces me.
In so far as I can discover, the person you wot of has endeavoured
most ambitiously, by means of his relations, to pave the way for
himself to the office of the ministry. Expressions sometimes are
thrown out which afford greater room for conjecture than for any
meaning which they contain. But as he hoped that erelong I would
take my departure, he advised me to undertake what by and by I might
resign to him. He did not know what might be brought to pass with
you, and I took care closely to conceal that from him. "Are you not
ashamed," said he, "in so great an assemblage to remain silent?
Would there be no church here vacant for you?" I replied, that we
had an auditory also in our house at home which suited us very
well. He, forsooth, would have nought but what was public. Having
dined once with us, he wished to be received at table by Grynée
through my introduction. Excuse was of no avail, but he must urge
the proposal with unseasonable importunity, until Grynée restrained
his forwardness by checking him aloud. I have satisfied the owner of
the horse; the rest of your commissions are duly attended to. Grynée
salutes you in the most friendly manner, and entreats you to pardon
him, on account of his business engagements, that he does not write
at present. Oporin also, Stagnæus, Du Tailly, for the other two have
gone from this. May the Lord preserve and protect you, may your soul
prosper in the strength of his own Spirit.--You will not envy me the
reading of Capito's epistle, which I send you unsealed. Will you, if
you please, return both the letters of Bucer, or carefully preserve
them, as hereafter we shall have occasion for them? Salute not
merely with your complaisance, but from my heart, all our brethren,
especially such of them as you well know are here meant. If you
desire that I should write, arrange that I may have messengers from
yourself.--Yours,