WILLIAM FAREL, one of the greatest pioneers of French Protestantism, was born in 1489. D'Aubigne says, " On an extensive terrace raised above the neighboring cottages might be seen a manor house. Here, in these days of trouble, dwelt a noble family of established piety, known by the name of Farel. In 1489, the very year in which the papacy was employing its severest measures in Dauphiny, was born a son who received the name of William.
There William's childhood and early youth were passed. His parents were among the most devoted servants of the papacy. My father and mother believed everything," he tells us himself; and accordingly they brought up their children in all the observances of Romish devotion.
As William grew up he “thirsted for life, for knowledge and for light; he aspired to be something great; he asked permission to study. This was a great blow to his father, who thought that a young noble ought to know nothing beyond his rosary and his sword. But the young man was not to be shaken, and the old gentleman gave way at last.
Farel applied himself wholeheartedly to his studies, and passed on eventually to the celebrated university of Paris. Here a celebrated doctor, Lefevre, was at the zenith of his fame as a teacher, and young Fare! sat in wonderment at his feet. Lefevre had received light from heaven and was teaching the plain truths of the Bible, although, of course, with a very great admixture of Romish error.
Farel listened with attention, and the Holy Spirit began to pass him through great exercise of soul. He was most zealous in his religious duties, and strove by every means to be acceptable to God, but alas! all to no purpose. Books, images, relics, Aristotle, Mary and the saints—all proved unavailing.
Meanwhile Farel began to read his Bible. He was amazed at seeing that so much in the church was very different from what was taught in the Scriptures. A terrible struggle between the Word of God and the word of the church took place in his heart. If he met with any passages of Scripture opposed to the Romish doctrine, he cast down his eyes, blushed, and dared not believe what he read.
One day as he was reading the Bible, a doctor who happened to come in rebuked him sharply. "No man," said he, "ought to read the Holy Scriptures before he has learned philosophy and taken his degree in arts." This was a preparation the apostles had not required, but Farel believed him.
From that time lie relapsed somewhat into his old Romish superstitions, and mixed with the Carthusians in their gloomy cells in the woods near Paris. "I had," says he, " my Pantheon in my heart, and such a troop of mediators, Saviors and gods, that I might well have passed for a papal register.”
However, light was about to dispel his darkness. Some gleams had penetrated into the heart of his tutor, who would say to him—perhaps after they had been bowing before an image together—"My dear William, God will renew the world, and you will see it!”
Lefevre lectured with increasing clearness and power, and the whole university was stirred. Farel listened spellbound. The Word searched him through and through. At last he was brought to the point of decision. It must be either the Pope or Christ; tradition or the Scriptures; truth or error. D'Aubigne says:—"Farel listened earnestly to this teaching. These words of salvation by grace had immediately an indescribable charm for him. Every objection fell; every struggle ceased. No sooner had Lefevre put forward this doctrine than Farel embraced it with all the ardor of his soul. He had undergone labor and conflict enough to be aware that he could not save himself. Accordingly, immediately he saw in the Word that God saves freely, he believed." "Lefevre," said he, "extricated me from the false opinion of human merits, and taught me that everything came from grace, which I believed as soon as it was spoken.”
Farel had found Jesus Christ, and having reached the port, he was delighted to find repose after such terrible storms. "Now," said he “everything appears to me under a fresh aspect. Scripture is cleared up; prophecy is opened; the apostle shed a strong light upon my soul. A voice till now unknown, the voice of Christ, my Shepherd, my Master, my Teacher speaks to me with power.”
May this account of the work of God's grace in the soul of William Farel be blessed by the Holy Spirit to each reader. Remember that the same gospel that so powerfully affected William Farel in the fifteenth century is just the same in the twentieth century. The need of sinners then is just the need of sinners now.
Our object in writing this article fails unless in your case it effects you. Are you saved? Are your sins forgiven? Are you on your way to glory?
No one can decide these matters but yourself. We should esteem it a great favor from God were we permitted to help you to a decision, but the decision is your own.
“Decide for Christ today,
And God's salvation see;
Yield soul and body, heart and will,
To Him, who died for Thee.”
J. H. EVANS