rs, monks, and divines. They "pretend
themselves vicars of Christ." Reference is made to their "grooms,
ostlers, serving men, pimps, and somewhat else which for modesty's
sake I shall not mention." They fight with a holy zeal to defend their
possessions, and issue their bulls and excommunications most frequently
against "those who, at the instigation of the Devil, and not having the
fear of God before their eyes, do feloniously and maliciously attempt to
lessen and impair St. Peter's patrimony."

Speaking through the mouth of Folly, the biting wit of Erasmus does not
spare Christianity itself. "Fools," he says, "for their plainness and
sincerity of heart, have always been most acceptable to God Almighty."
Princes have ever been jealous of subjects who were too observant and
thoughtful; and Jesus Christ, in like manner, condemns the wise and
crafty. He solemnly thanks his Father for hiding the mysteries of
salvation from the wise, and revealing them to babes; that is, says
Erasmus, _to fools_. "Woe unto you scribes and pharisees" means "Woe
unto you wise men."

Jesus seemed "chiefly delighted with women, children, and illiterate
fishermen." The blessed souls that in the day of judgment are to be
placed on the Savior's right hand "are called sheep, which are the most
senseless and stupid of all cattle."

"Nor would he heal those breaches our sins had made by any other method
than by the 'foolishness of the cross,' published by the ignorant and
unlearned apostles, to whom he frequently recommends the excellence
of Folly, cautioning them against the infectiousness of wisdom, by the
several examples he proposes them to imitate, such as children, lilies,
sparrows, mustard, and such like beings, which are either wholly
inanimate, or at least devoid of reason and ingenuity, guided by
no other conduct than that of instinct, without care, trouble, or
contrivance."

"The Christian religion," Erasmus says, "seems to have some relations
to Folly, and no alliance at all to wisdom." In proof of which we are to
observe; _first_, that "children, women, old men, and fools, led as
it were by a secret impulse of nature, are always most constant in
repairing to church, and most zealous, devout and attentive in the
performance of the several parts of divine service "; _secondly_, that
true Christians invite affronts by an easy forgiveness of injuries,
suffer themselves like doves to be easily cheated and imposed upon,
love their enemies