“The papacy looked beautiful; all was peace and tranquility. Even though there were many monks and monastic orders, all were subject to one head and authority, the pope. Consequently, there was unity of doctrine and belief. This makes an impression on people, and for this men strive. It would be a fine thing to have one head rule over all. Yet this is impossible, since neither Christ nor a prophet nor an apostle has been able to accomplish it. Therefore resign yourself to the fact, and be prepared for discord and unrest as soon as the Gospel is preached. This is also borne out by the parable in the Gospel (Luke 11:21–22): ‘When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace; but when one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he divides his spoil.’
This is the fault, not of the Gospel but of the devil, who cannot tolerate the Gospel. If we preached as the pope demands, courted his favor, and fawned before him, we would still be at peace with him. But then we would be serving the devil. Peace in the papacy was predicated on general acquiescence in all that was done, so that no one opposed the other, and the devil’s doctrine was accepted as God’s Word. The pope lay in the mire like a sow that snores when people gently scratch it behind the ears. But now he is bestirring himself and waking up, because he is being attacked and having his hide thrashed. And the same thing is happening to us” (Luther’s Works, v. 23, p. 290-291).