When Jingo scurrility had done its worst to her, sectarian scurrility (in this case Protestant scurrility) used her stake to beat the Roman Catholic Church and the Inquisition.
Rather than being viewed as the local eccentric, Socrates was now being seen by many as a dangerous spreader of radical ideas that were leading others to the most vile excesses.
During this speech the Abbot had time to recollect himself: He was satisfied with reading the penitent Spy a lecture upon the dangers of curiosity, and the meanness of the action in which She had been just discovered.