Isaac of Stella

“Similarly and at about the same time, a new and monstrous breed of military order emerged, whose rule—someone wittily described it as stemming from a fifth gospel—would force, with spears and clubs, unbelievers to embrace the Faith, while considering it right to despoil and devoutly kill those who do not have the name of Christian. And those of their order who are killed while at such pillaging they regard as martyrs for Christ. Surely it is obvious that these people give every excuse for anti-christian cruelty to the champion of wickedness. How could they put before such a one the gentleness and patience of Christ and the pattern of his preaching? Why should the adversary not gladly do what he finds is done with a good conscience? Why should he not say, Do to the church as the church has done?”
― Isaac of Stella, The Selected Works of Isaac of Stella: A Cistercian Voice from the Twelfth Century