CHAPTER VI.
JESUIT LABORS AND STRIFES.
1600-1700.
The Field of Jesuit Labors — The First Disputes with the Church of Puebla — Attitude of Palafox — Relations between the Bishop and the Jesuits — Open Hostility — Appointment of Judges — Palafox Sentenced — He Retaliates — His Flight from Puebla — The Victorious Society — The Bishop Returns — General Reprimands from Spain — The Jesuits Defeated in Rome — Revival and Conclusion of the Quarrel — Life of Palafox in Spain — His Death — Disputes with the Society about Tithes — The Jesuits at the Close of the Century.
During the rule of Viceroy Salvatierra there occurred a bitter dispute between the regular and secular clergy, and one which though carried on only in Mexico and Puebla agitated almost all New Spain, absorbed the attention of the governments at Mexico and Madrid, and became a frequent subject for discussion and consultation to the holy see itself On one side was the able, energetic, and strong-minded bishop of Puebla, Juan de Palafox y Mendoza, temporary viceroy, archbishop elect of Mexico, and visitador general of New Spain. His adversaries were the Jesuits, who were not second to him in ability, whose ranks were thoroughly organized, who had the command of wealth wherewith to secure friends, and whose influence over the people was fully equal to that of the prelate. The early labors of Palafox have already been related; and in order that the means at the disposal of his antagonists may be better understood, I shall give a brief sketch of the field
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