If any of yow wole, of devocion,
Offren and han myn absolucion,
Com forth anon, and kneleth heere adoun,
And mekely receyveth my pardoun;
Or elles taketh pardoun as ye wende,
Al newe and fressh at every miles ende,
So that ye offren, alwey newe and newe,
Nobles or pens, whiche that be goode and trewe.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Pardoner’s Tale. The avaricious Pardoner encourages his fellow pilgrims to kneel down and receive his pardon and absolution from sin. Or better still, they can purchase pardons for every mile that they travel. He appeals to their "devotion," urging them to keep the gold or silver coins coming. Very devoted to his scams is this representative of the Church.