He did not work, like the German monk, by reasoning, but by enthusiasm.

With him logic always gave way before inspiration: he was not a theologian, but a prophet.

Yet, although hitherto he had bowed his head before the authority of the Church, he had already raised it against the temporal power.

To him religion and liberty appeared as two virgins equally sacred; so that, in his view, Lorenzo in subjugating the one was as culpable as Pope Innocent VIII in dishonouring the other.

The result of this was that, so long as Lorenzo lived in riches, happiness, and magnificence, Savonarola had never been willing, whatever entreaties were made, to sanction by his presence a power which he considered illegitimate.