At that time, said Luther, my book was presented to the German
nobility, which Dr. Wick showed unto me. Then the Gospel began to
go on well, but the Pope's power, together with the Antinomians,
gave it a great blow, and yet, notwithstanding, through God's
Providence, it was thereby furthered.

The Pope's power was above all Kings and Emperors, which power I
opposed with my little book; and therewith also I assaulted the Bull
on the Pope, and, by God's assistance, overthrew it. I did not
write that book on purpose against the Pope, but only against the
abuses of Popedom; yet nevertheless it startled them quickly, for
their consciences accused them.


Princes do draw and tear Spiritual Livings unto them.

The proverb is, said Luther, "Priests' livings are catching
livings," and that "Priests' goods never prosper." This we know to
be true by experience, for such as have drawn spiritual livings unto
them are grown poor thereby, and become beggars, therefore this
Fable I like very well:

There was an Eagle that made amity and friendship with the Fox; they
agreed to dwell peaceably together. Now when the Fox expected from
the Eagle all manner of good offices and turns, he brought his young
ones and laid them under the tree on which the Eagle had his nest
and young ones; but the friendship between them lasted not long, for
so soon as the Eagle wanted meat for his young (the Fox being out of
the way), he flew down and took the young Foxes and carried them
into his nest, and therewith fed his young Eagles. When, therefore,