But this tendency in the aspiring order to identify itself with Rome, this ambition to command the prestige of Rome as leverage for carrying out its own designs, stirred the resentment of haughty and _intransigeant_ Pontiffs.

The Jesuits were not beloved by Paul IV., Pius V., and Sixtus V.
It remains, however, to inquire in what the originality, the effective operation, and the modifying influence of the Jesuit Society consisted during the period with which we are concerned.

It was their object to gain control over Europe by preaching, education, the direction of souls, and the management of public affairs.

In each of these departments their immediate success was startling; for they labored with zeal, and they adapted their methods to the requirements of the age.
Yet, in the long run, art, science, literature, religion, morality and politics, all suffered from their interference.

By preferring artifice to reality, affectation to sincerity, shams and subterfuges to plain principle and candor, they confused the conscience and enfeebled the intellect of Catholic Europe.