"They build you churches, and you say masses for them, although they be Satan himself.
"The world is sanctified without you, and you sanctify yourselves because of the world.
"That your Popes are not more dissolute, your prelates more prodigal, and your friars more slothful, is because the world has constrained you. But you have constrained the world to no purpose.
"You have set yourself against the usurer, but the world will practise usury, and you practise usury with the world. Thus are you the ape and the servant of the world.
"Where you have rivals, you show yourself discreet; but where you are without competitors, there as ever you corrupt the land.
"You follow after the world, as a captive shark follows a sailing ship. You turn and twist, but the world points out the way—not you.
"Like a kettle tied by mischievous boys to the tail of a dog, so do you rattle with hollow menaces behind the course of the world. You scare, but do not guide.
"Yes, you strive against the sanctifying of the world, for with your hands you would conceal the godlike fire of knowledge; but the flame bursts through your fingers, and consumes you.
"What have you done for the sheep committed to your care—for the poor and bereaved—for the oppressed and the disinherited?
"Submission you have taught them—ay—submission to Mammon. You have taught them to bow meekly to Satan.