Page 32 - 08 Luther Before the Diet

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