Now it is plain that the obvious deduction from such a principle is, that if all moral qualities are placed out of the question, and if the Superior, because he is Superior, is to be regarded by the Jesuit as God, then clearly all must be done that is required by that Superior, whether right or wrong, scriptural or unscriptural, sanctioned or condemned by the conscience of the individual. But it is also very possible that cases may arise in which, in matters of opinion, the subordinate may differ from the decision of his Superior, and in matters of practice may feel a conscientious scruple in the execution of his designs. It is plain, moreover, that, if the Superior holds the place of God, he has an absolute right to the immediate surrender both of conviction and of conscience. There is a curious passage in the latter part of the “Spiritual Exercises,” which proves the extent to which the Jesuit is required to surrender his opinion, or it should be rather stated, to belie it. This book was written by Loyola, solemnly sanctioned, in a letter apostolic, after careful examination, by Pope Paul III., and a translation of it published in the year 1847, with notes by the present General, Father Rothaan, and a commendatory preface by no other pen than that of “Nicholas Wiseman, D.D., Bishop of Melipotamus;” so that it has every sanction, ancient and modern, which Rome can give it. In it we find eighteen “rules to be observed, in order that we may think with the orthodox Church,” the thirteenth of which is as follows, and especial attention is directed to it because it shows, not merely the slavery to which the Jesuit is reduced, but the recklessness as to truth, of which he is compelled to become guilty: “That we may be altogether of the same mind, and in conformity with the Church herself, if she shall have defined anything to be black, which to our eyes appears to be white, we ought in like manner to pronounce it to be black.” {29} To think it black is clearly impossible, but to pronounce it black is here declared a duty.