The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 184

Thus Zwingli maintained the battle with his wily antagonists.
He “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.”—D’Aubigne, b. 11, ch. 13.
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 gaiety 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’s 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.”
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.”—Ibid., b. 11, ch. 13. Eck’s stentorian voice and unbounded
assurance never failed him. His zeal was stimulated by the hope of gold
as well as fame; for the defender of the faith was to be rewarded by a
handsome fee. When better arguments failed, he had resort to insults,
and even to oaths.
Oecolampadius, modest and self-distrustful, had shrunk from the
combat, and he entered upon it with the solemn avowal: “I acknowledge
no other standard of judgment than the word of God.”—Ibid., b. 11,
ch. 13. Though gentle and courteous in demeanor, he proved himself
able and unflinching. While the Romanists, according to their wont,
appealed for authority to the cus