59)

The victories gained by the Reformation stirred the Romanists to still
more determined efforts for its overthrow. Seeing how little had been
accomplished by persecution in suppressing Luther's work in Germany, they
decided to meet the reform with its own weapons. They would hold a
disputation with Zwingle, and having the arrangement of matters, they
would make sure of victory by choosing, themselves, not only the place of
the combat, but the judges that should decide between the disputants. And
if they could once get Zwingle into their power, they would take care that
he did not escape them. The leader silenced, 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 papal 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 undertook 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 "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."(260)

The Ro