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From Here to Forever
the gospel, forbade their pastor to expose himself to this peril. 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 Dr. Eck, supported by
a host of learned doctors and prelates, was the champion of Rome.
The secretaries were all chosen by the papists, and others were
forbidden to take notes, on pain of death. Notwithstanding, a student
in attendance at the disputation made a record each evening of the
arguments that day presented. These papers two other students
undertook to deliver, with the daily letters of Oecolampadius, to
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Zwingli at Zurich. The Reformer answered, giving counsel. To
elude the vigilance of the guard at the city gates, these messengers
brought baskets of poultry on their heads and were permitted to pass
without hindrance.
Zwingli “has labored more,” said Myconius, “by his meditations,
his sleepless nights, and the advice which he transmitted to Baden,
than he would have done by discussing in person in the midst of his
enemies.
The Romanists had come to Baden in their richest robes and
glittering with jewels. They fared luxuriously, their tables spread
with costly delicacies and choice wines. In marked contrast appeared
the Reformers, whose frugal fare kept them but short time at table.
Oecolampadius’s landlord, taking occasion to watch him in his room,
found him always in study or at prayer, and reported that the heretic
was at least “very pious.”
At the conference, “Eck haughtily ascended a pulpit splendidly
decorated, while the humble Oecolampadius, meanly clothed, was
forced to take his seat in front of his opponent on a rudely carved
stool.” Eck’s stentorian voice and unbounded assurance never failed
him. The defender of the faith was to be rewarded by a handsome
fee. When better arguments failed, he had resort to insults and even
oaths.
Oecolampadius, modest and self-distrustful, had shrunk from
the combat. Though gentle and courteous in demeanor, he proved
himself able and unflinching. The Reformer adhered steadfastly to
the Scriptures. “Custom,” he said, “has no force in our Switzerland,
10
D’Aubigne, bk. 11, ch. 13.