At last William was to have some days of rest, peace and sunshine in Geneva — is that what you were thinking? Does Satan ever stop his attacks against the people of God? No, indeed; he will continue to stir up trouble as long as he is able.
At first William’s concern was more for the many villages and towns in the area. He worked continually to bring more of the light of God’s Word to these people. He worked so hard that his good friend in Geneva, John Calvin, wrote in alarm to a friend.
“If you do not come to help him,” Calvin said, “you will soon lose him altogether, for the toil and burden are too much even for a man of iron.”
I have not yet told you of this friend, John Calvin. He was a young man who had been saved and come from France. Farel looked upon Calvin not only as a great worker, but as the very one who could do the work so needed among the believers of Geneva. Not just Farel, but many in Geneva were amazed at Calvin’s preaching, and soon his word became almost law to the believers. Calvin set about to organize the church in Geneva and felt that everyone in the town should be made to sign a confession of faith which would include keeping the ten commandments. Farel had long preached the truth that the believer is not under law, and he had never had any thought of forcing unbelievers to keep the law. But at this time he did not raise his voice against Calvin’s plan.
The citizens of Geneva did not keep quiet! They were angry at being forced to sign. The city council at this time was in favor of Calvin’s confession and told the citizens they would have to sign or leave the city. Many refused still to sign, nor would they leave. The citizens of Geneva, you remember, had long been lovers of freedom. There were still those who had never been actually converted to God, and they wanted not only freedom from orders such as these, but liberty for more riotous living. These people formed themselves into a group called the Libertines.
Soon after this a notice came from Berne that certain festival days should still be observed. The Libertines thought these days could be turned into wonderful parties, so they quickly supported this notice. The city council felt that Berne must be obeyed, but William had always taught that “he that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it” (Romans 14:66He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. (Romans 14:6)). He felt that this matter had to be left up to the individual before God.
The council called Farel and Calvin and ordered them to conform to the new decrees of Berne and forbade them to preach if they did not do so. The preachers stood firm and soon the city was again in a state of riot! The council now said that Farel and Calvin must leave the city.
“Well and good,” replied Farel with sorrow in his heart. “God has done it.”
As they walked the familiar streets to the city gates, angry shouts rose up around them.
“To the river! Drown them!” Just the same cry as in the days of the old religion six years before!
So William Farel was driven out of believing Geneva. The city had been more dear to him than any place on earth. But we can be thankful that rather than be disobedient to the Word of God, he was willing to be cast out of the city he loved. If Geneva was dear to him, there was One who was more dear.
Have you too found the One who is more precious than all others on earth? Is there even one person who is more to you than the Lord Jesus? If so, then perhaps you have never truly had a glimpse of our Saviour. One look at Him and you will know, like Farel, that “He is altogether lovely.”