what, in the name of the Lord God, are they doing here?" Here I sought something different. "Wonder not so much," answered the interpreter. "That which is set forth to all men as an example is the degree of perfection which earthly weakness cannot always attain; those who lead the others are, indeed, more perfect, but the ordinary men, occupied with many concerns, cannot equal them." "Let us, then," I said, "go among these leaders, that I may behold them."
(On the Barrenness of Preachers.)
7. And my guide then led me to those who stood on the steps; and these, indeed, exhorted the people to love the image, but, as it seemed to me, but feebly. For if one listened and obeyed, well and good; if he did not do so, it was well also. Some clanked keys, saying they had the power to close on those who did not obey them the gate by which man reaches God; but meanwhile they closed it on no man, or, at least, when they did so, they did it as it were in jest. Indeed, I saw that they dared not do this very daringly; for if one attempted to speak somewhat sharply, they reviled him, saying that he preached against persons. Therefore some, daring not to do so by word of mouth, in writing raged against sin; but they screamed against these also, saying that they spread lampoons. Therefore, they either turned away from these men or threw them down the steps, replacing them by other more moderate
