Surely you are anxious now to learn of what happened to the city of Geneva. It was, you remember, standing alone with God against the whole world. The Emperor Charles was up in arms, the duke of Savoy had his followers ready and he could count on help from his nephew, the King of France. Geneva was surrounded with no way of escape — except from above!
Berne was still silent, but the ambassador of Geneva at last thought of one friend. Do you remember the wonderful way the gospel was received at Neuchatel? The believers there still burned with love for the Lord and His people. An old captain, James Wildermuth, lived in Neuchatel and the ambassador of Geneva at last made his way to this man. James listened to the troubles of the believers in Geneva with sorrow and anger.
“If no one else will go to the help of Geneva, I will go!” he said. “We can at least lay down our lives for these brethren if nothing else.”
He called together his little band of soldiers from his town and from the villages nearby. About 900 men set out to defend Geneva.
Was this the way that the Lord desired to defend the gospel? If you have read your Bible, you know it is not. God has warned, “All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matthew 26:5252Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Matthew 26:52)). But before we blame these good people for not knowing this, let us beware that we do not fail on the other side. Are we as ready as they to help a brother or a sister? They were willing to give their lives. Are we willing even to give an hour or so of our time?
It is necessary to say, though, that it is indeed a serious mistake to take up swords to defend the gospel. Cannot the Lord, who is King of kings and Lord of lords, defend His people? These things, however, were little known to these dear people who had only recently come out of the darkness into the glorious light of the gospel. So the little band of soldiers made their way over the mountains to rescue their brothers and sisters in Christ.
As soon as the duke was informed that they had arrived, he called out about 1500 well-trained soldiers. The brave captain, James Wildermuth, rushed out to fight. The army of the duke did not know what to make of men who fought so valiantly, and soon they turned and ran away.
There is not time to tell you of all that followed. As soon as news of this battle reached Geneva, Baudichon was up and out with his men. Two Bernese ambassadors arrived to say that they had been sent to make peace. The duke realized that his army could not fight both Geneva and the brave men from Neuchatel, but with cunning and lying words he convinced Baudichon that he and the ambassadors from Berne had arrived at an agreement for peace that was favorable to Geneva. He sent a separate message to the men from Neuchatel, and these brave and honest men believed that Berne had finally won this peace. There was nothing to do now but to return to Neuchatel.
But less than a month later, Geneva was surrounded by the duke’s armies and the poor flock in Geneva was more distressed than ever by lack of food, fuel and clothing.
/
William Farel, in the meantime, prayed and preached. Brave Baudichon wrote to Berne, “Believe me, God will deliver us from the hand of our enemies. You will see wonders before long and know how God can help us.”
God did show Himself strong for the believers in Geneva. Man can see only the outward events, but the eye of faith can see God’s hand in turning the heart of kings where He wills. The King of France had a quarrel with the duke of Savoy and with the Emperor Charles. He withdrew his support. Berne became fearful lest the King of France should take Geneva for himself.
Just when Geneva could no longer hold out against the duke, a messenger arrived with the news. “The Bernese are coming!” At last Berne felt forced to send an army to protect the city. The King of France had his own quarrel with the duke of Savoy and now had set his army against him. The Emperor Charles had grown weary of the matter of a small city and had deserted the duke. When the Bernese army arrived no one could resist them. Geneva was free!