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The Great Controversy 1888
the movement could speedily be crushed. This purpose, however, was
carefully concealed.
The disputation was appointed to be held at Baden; but Zwingle
was not present. The Council of Zurich, suspecting the designs of the
papists, and warned by the burning piles kindled in the popish cantons
for confessors of the gospel, forbade their pastor to expose himself to
this peril. At Zurich he was ready to meet all the partisans that Rome
might send; but to go to Baden, where the blood of martyrs for the
truth had just been shed, was to go to certain death. Oecolampadius
and Haller were chosen to represent the reformers, while the famous
Doctor Eck, supported by a host of learned doctors and prelates, was
the champion of Rome.
Though Zwingle was not present at the conference, his influence
was felt. The secretaries were all chosen by the papists, and others
were forbidden to take notes, on pain of death. Notwithstanding this,
Zwingle received daily a faithful account of what was said at Baden. A
student in attendance at the disputation, made a record each evening of
the arguments that day presented. These papers two other students un-
dertook to deliver, with the daily letters of Oecolampadius, to Zwingle
at Zurich. The reformer answered, giving counsel and suggestions.
His letters were written by night, and the students returned with them
to Baden in the morning. To elude the vigilance of the guard stationed
at the city gates, these messengers brought baskets of poultry on their
heads, and they were permitted to pass without hindrance.
Thus Zwingle maintained the battle with his wily antagonists. “He
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has labored more,” said Myconius, “in meditating upon and watching
the contest, and transmitting his advice to Baden, than he could have
done by disputing in the midst of his enemies.”
The Romanists, flushed with anticipated triumph, had come to
Baden attired in their richest robes, and glittering with jewels. They
fared luxuriously, their tables spread with the most costly delicacies
and the choicest wines. The burden of their ecclesiastical duties was
lightened by gayety and reveling. In marked contrast appeared the
reformers, who were looked upon by the people as little better than a
company of beggars, and whose frugal fare kept them but short time
at table. Oecolampadius’ landlord, taking occasion to watch him in
his room, found him always engaged in study or at prayer, and, greatly
wondering, reported that “the heretic was at least very pious.”