"God's light—the light of knowledge—you have withheld from them. Woe be to you!
"You have taught them to beg, and to kiss the rod that smote them. You have cloaked the shame of alms-receiving, and have prated of honor in servitude.
"Thus have you humbled man, and disfigured the human soul.
"With the fruit of their hands you have decorated your churches and adorned your unworthy bodies.
"You have aroused the devil in the heart—the devil of fear—fear of hell and everlasting punishment. The aspiration of the free heart toward God you have deadened; and with indulgences and the confessional have you lulled the waking conscience.
"Of the love of the Father you have made commerce—a sinful merchandise. Not because you love virtue do you preach it, but because of the sweet profit. You promise deliverance to all who follow your counsel; but as well can you make a present of moon and stars.
"Are you not told to recompense evil with good? And is God less than man that He should do otherwise?
"It is well for you that He does not do otherwise, for where then were your salvation?
"For you, and you only, are the brood of vipers against whom is kindled the wrath of Him who was gentle with adulterers and murderers."