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The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of
Religious Knowledge, Philip Schaff Vol. IV
(Abridged and edited for clarity)
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GUILLAUME(William)
FAREL (1489–1565)
French
Protestant who played a decisive role in bringing the Reformation to French
Switzerland William Farel was born of noble family at Gap, France
in 1489 and died at Neuchátel, Switzerland, Sept. 13, 1565. After
finishing his studies in Paris he taught in the college of Cardinal le Moine,
which was part of the University, and was led to adopt the Reformed views by
his teacher Faber Stapulensis. In 1521 he went to Meaux and preacbed the new
faith. Bishop Guillaume Briçonnet was personally favorable to these
views, but Farel's preaching was so direct and unsparing that it gave great
offense to the adherents of the old Church and the bishop silenced him, Apr.
12, 1523. He early on exhibited a zeal much greater than his discretion and it
was to involve him in continual trouble. After visiting Paris and Gap he
wandered to Basel, where Œcolampadius
received him as an ally and where he participated in the religious conference
of Feb., 1524, and discussed the thirteen theses which he had prepared. But his
speeches and publications were so outspoken and inflammatory that the
authorities were alarmed and abruptly expelled him at Pentcost. He is next
heard from at various places in southern Germany and Switzerland, preaching the
Word with great boldness to French speaking people and everywhere in imminent
danger of his life. In Oct., 1532, he came to Geneva and was successful in
inclining the authorities to adopt the Reformation by edict of Aug. 10, 1535.
But he was not the man to conduct the difficult and delicate controversies,
both religious and personal, which preceded and followed the adoption of the
Reformation, as he was well aware. When, therefore, the rising theologian,
John Calvin, in whom be divined the qualities which
he lacked, came to Geneva, Farel laid hold upon him in a memorable interview in
the latter part of July, 1536, and fairly compelled him to join in his work.
But the opposition was too strong and they were both expelled from the city
Apr. 23, 1538. Farel went to Neuchâtel and thence to Metz and the
neighboring Gorse. In 1543 Gorse was attacked by the troops of the Cardinal of
Lorraine and Farel barely escaped with his life. He went to Strasburg but soon
after returned to Neuchâtel and for the remainder of his life made it the
center of his activities.
Farel's publications have only relative importance and there is no
collected edition of them. Carl Schmidt gives a list in his life of Farel, p.
38, to which should be added Le résumé des actes de la
dispute de Rive, ed. by T. Dufour, Geneva, 1885. |
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