As things went on from bad to worse, even they at last found out that all hope of reforming the Church by means of councils was delusive.

Erasmus exclaimed, "If Christ does not deliver his people from this multiform ecclesiastical tyranny, the tyranny of the Turk will become less intolerable." Cardinals' hats were now sold, and under Leo X.ecclesiastical and religious offices were actually put up to auction.
The maxim of life had become, interest first, honor afterward.

Among the officials, there was not one who could be honest in the dark, and virtuous without a witness.

The violet-colored velvet cloaks and white ermine capes of the cardinals were truly a cover for wickedness.
The unity of the Church, and therefore its power, required the use of Latin as a sacred language.

Through this, Rome had stood in an attitude strictly European, and was enabled to maintain a general international relation.