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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 customs of
the church； the Reformer adhered steadfastly to the Holy Scriptures。
〃Custom；〃 he said； 〃has no force in our Switzerland； unless it be according
to the constitution； now； in matters of faith； the Bible is our
constitution。〃Ibid。； b。 11； ch。 13。
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The contrast between the two disputants was not without effect。 The calm；
clear reasoning of the Reformer； so gently and modestly presented； appealed
to minds that turned in disgust from Eck's boastful and boisterous
assumptions。
The discussion continued eighteen days。 At its close the papists with great
confidence claimed the victory。 Most of the deputies sided with Rome； and
the Diet pronounced the Reformers vanquished and declared that they；
together with Zwingli； their leader； were cut off from the church。 But the
fruits of the conference revealed on which side the advantage lay。 The
contest resulted in a strong impetus to the Protestant cause； and it was not
long afterward that the important cities of Bern and Basel declared for the
Reformation。
（185）
Chapter 10
Progress of Reform in Germany
Luther's mysterious disappearance excited consternation throughout all
Germany。 Inquiries concerning him were heard everywhere。 The wildest rumors
were circulated； and many believed that he had been murdered。 There was
great lamentation； not only by his avowed friends； but by thousands who had
not openly taken their stand with the Reformation。 Many bound themselves by
a solemn oath to avenge his death。
The Romish leaders saw with terror to what a pitch had risen the feeling
against them。 Though at first exultant at the supposed death of Luther； they
soon desired to hide from the wrath of the people。 His enemies had not been
so troubled by his most daring acts while among them as they were at his
removal。 Those who in their rage had sought to destroy the bold Reformer
were filled with fear now that he had become a helpless captive。 〃The only
remaining way of saving ourselves；〃 said one； 〃is to light torches； and hunt
for Luther through the whole world； to restore him to the nation that is
calling for him。〃D'Aubigne； b。 9； ch。 1。 The edict of the emperor seemed
to fall powerless。 The papal legates were filled with indignation as they
saw that it commanded far less attention than did the fate of Luther。
The tidings that he was safe； though a prisoner； calmed the fears of the
people； while it still further aroused their enthusiasm in his favor。 His
writings were read with greater
186
eagerness than ever before。 Increasing numbers joined the cause of the
heroic man who had； at such fearful odds； defended the word of God。 The
Reformation was constantly gaining in strength。 The seed which Luther had
sown sprang up everywhere。 His absence accomplished a work which his
presence would have failed to do。 Other laborers felt a new responsibility；
now that their great leader was removed。 With new faith and earnestness they
pressed forward to do all in their power； that the work so nobly begun might
not be hindered。
But Satan was not idle。 He now attempted what he has attempted in every
other reformatory movementto deceive and destroy the people by palming off
upon them a counterfeit in place of the true work。 As there were false
christs in the first century of the Christian church； so there arose false
prophets in the sixteenth century。
A few men； deeply affected by the excitement in the religious world；
imagined themselves to have received special revelations from Heaven； and
claimed to have been divinely commissioned to carry forward to its
completion the Reformation which； they declared； had been but feebly begun
by Luther。 In truth； they were undoing the very work which he had
accomplished。 They rejected the great principle which was the very
foundation of the Reformationthat the word of God is the all…sufficient
rule of faith and practice； and for that unerring guide they substituted the
changeable； uncertain standard of their own feelings and impressions。 By
this act of setting aside the great detector of error and falsehood the way
was opened for Satan to control minds as best pleased himself。
One of these prophets claimed to have been instructed by the angel Gabriel。
A student who united with him forsook his studies； declaring that he had
been endowed by God Himself with wisdom to expound His word。 Others who were
naturally inclined to fanaticism united with them。 The proceedings of these
enthusiasts created no little excitement。
187
The preaching of Luther had aroused the people everywhere to feel the
necessity of reform； and now some really honest persons were misled by the
pretensions of the new prophets。
The leaders of the movement proceeded to Wittenberg and urged their claims
upon Melanchthon and his colaborers。 Said they： 〃We are sent by God to
instruct the people。 We have held familiar conversations with the Lord； we
know what will happen； in a word； we are apostles and prophets； and appeal
to Dr。 Luther。〃Ibid。； b。 9； ch。 7。
The Reformers were astonished and perplexed。 This was such an element as
they had never before encountered； and they knew not what course to pursue。
Said Melanchthon： 〃There are indeed extraordinary spirits in these men； but
what spirits？ 。 。 。 On the one hand； l