Soon，aswastobeexpectedinsuchacountry，thisserviceprovedtheoccasionofmuchscandal，and，insteadofshowingpeoplehowtoleavetheworld，becamethemeansofintroducingmanyintolifeinaclandestineway。TherectoroftheJesuitcollegethoughtithisdutytoinformtheBishop；buthe，likeallgoodmen，thoughtnothingbadcouldspringfromanythingthathehimselforiginated。Nodoubtheputitdowntomalice，asgoodpeoplewillwhenworldlingsputthefingerontheweakspotofareligiousinstitution；butanyhow，regardlessofthescandals，hecontinuedhisnocturnalrites。
TheGovernorofParaguayatthattimewasoneGregoriodeHinostrosa，anofficerborninChile，anhonest，pious，wooden
headedman，andmuchbelovedbytheinhabitantsofParaguay。OnhisarrivalDonBernardinotriedtoconciliatehim。Unluckily，afriendshipwiththeBishopwasimpossiblewithoutablindsubmissiontohiswill。
Inthebeginningallwasflattery；whenDonGregorioattendedMass，theBishopusedtomeethimatthechurchdoor。Nottobeoutdone，theGovernorreturnedtheBishop'spolitenessinasimilarway，butwentsofarinhiscomplaisancethatDonBernardinoceasedtorespecthim。Soontherearosebickeringsandjealousies，andatlengththeyhatedoneanotherfervently。
NorwastheBishopmoresuccessfulwithhisclergy。Someofthemlaughedathispretensionstobeasaint，andcalledhimanambitiousschemer。
Again，amongstthelaity，manydidnotquiteunderstandhishabitofcelebratingtwoMasseseveryday。Heansweredthathenevercelebratedwithoutreleasingasoulfrompurgatory，andthattherehadbeensaintswhocelebratednineMasseseveryday，and，moreover，thathewasPopeinhisowndiocese。Thiscutthegroundfromunderthefeetofhisdetractors，forinatownofthecalibreofAsuncionthepeoplelookedonaserviceinachurchasawelcomemeansofgettingthroughtheday，andhadhecelebratedadozenmassestheywouldbuthavebeenmoredelightedwiththeirnewBishop。
Underthepretextthattherewerenotenoughprieststoservethechurches，he，bydegrees，tookseveralparishesintohisownhands，andwentfromchurchtochurchtocelebratehisMassineach，whilstnotforgettingtodrawthevariousstipendsforhiswork。
But，notcontentwiththis，hebegantoordainyoungmenwhoknewnoLatin，andevencriminals，settingforththeviewthatordinationwasasortofsecondbaptism，whichpurgedallcrimes
amostconvenienttheory，andonewhichisnothalfenoughinsistedoninthesedegeneratedays。
ThepositionofAsunciongavehimanopportunityofanalmostuniquekindtoshowhistalentsinanothersphere。AcrosstheriverParaguay，thereaboutonemilebroad，extendsthecountrycalledtheChaco，avastdomainofswampandforest，inhabitedinthosedays，asatpresent，bytribesofwanderingIndians。Fromthecitywalls，whilstlisteningtothechurch
bells，onecanseethesmokeofIndianencampmentsacrosstheriveronlyamileaway。
OfalltheIndiantribesinthetimeofCardenas，themostferociousweretheGuaycurus。TheJesuitshadlabouredalmostinvainamongstthem。
Missionshadbeenfounded，andallgonewellformonths，andevenyears，whenonasudden，andwithoutreason，theGuaycurushadburnedthehouses，killedthepriests，andgonebacktothewilds。FromSantaFeuptotheprovinceofMattoGrossotheykeptthefrontierinaturmoil，crossingtheriverandfeedinglikelocustsonthesettlementsinParaguay。
NotlongbeforehisarrivaltheGuaycurushadintimatedtheirintentionofholdingaconferencewithDonGregorioHinostrosa。
DonBernardinothoughtthechancetoogoodtolose，andatoncedeclaredthat，asaBishop，itwashisplacetocarryonnegotiationswiththebarbarians。
DressedinhisrobesandwithanescortfurnishedbytheGovernor，hemetthechiefs
whonodoubtlookedonhimasanewkindofmedicine
man
preachedtothemthroughaninterpreter，curiouslybeingwithoutthegiftoftongues，butnotwithstandingthatareasonablenumberofthemwerebaptized。Onhisreturn，hewrotetotheKingthatbyhiseffortshehadappeasedthemostferociousIndianswithinhisMajesty'sdomains。
WithinaweektheGuaycurussurprisedandburnedasettlementalittlehigherupthestream。NotcontentwiththisCaligulesqueapostolatetotheGuaycurus，theBishoplongedforseriousoccupation，andcausedittoberumouredaboutthecitythathedidnothingexceptbythedirectauthorityoftheHolyGhost，anallegationhardtoconfute，andifallowed，likelytoleadtodifficultieseveninParaguay。
SomeyearsbeforetheadventofDonBernardinotheDominicanshadbuiltaconventinAsuncion。Astheyhadnolicensetobuild，theywereinthepositionofreligioussquattersonthedomainofGod。
ThecitizenshadappliedtotheAudienciaofCharcas，thesupremecourtonallsuchmattersinSouthAmerica，situated，withtrueSpanishunpracticality，inoneofthemostsecludeddistrictsofthecontinent。TheAudienciahadrefusedthelicense，buthadtakenthematter`adadvisandum'
fortenyears。Totakeamatterintoconsiderationfortenyears，eveninSpainorSouthAmerica，wherethelaw'sdelayisgenerallymoremortalthaninanyothercountry，wasasgoodasgivingapermission。
SotheDominicansconstruedit，andnoonedreamedofnowmolestingthem。
OnedaytheBishop，dressedinhisrobes，proceededfromhispalacetotheconvent，informingtheGovernorthathewantedhimtomeethimthere。
Enteringtheconventchurch，hetookthesacramentfromoffthealtarandstrippedthechurchofallitsornaments，settingagangofworkmentodemolishboththeconventandthechurch。Whentheworkwasover，hewenttoaneighbouringchurch，andthenandthere，withoutconfession，celebratedMass，remarkingtothefaithfulthattherewasnoneedforhimtomakeconfession，ashewassatisfiedoftheconditionofhisconscience。
Somemurmured；butthegreaterportionofthepeople，alwaysreadytotakeasaintathisownvaluation，weredelightedwithhisact。
Doubtsmusthavecrossedhismind，asshortlyafterwardshewrotetoDonMelchiorMaldonado，BishopofTucuman，forhisopinion。
ThatBishopansweredrathertartlythathiszealappearedtohimtosavourmoreofthezealofEliasthanofJesusChrist，andthatinacountrywherechurchesweresofewitseemedimprudenttopulldownratherthantobuild。`However，'headded，`mylightisnotsobrilliantasthelightyourlordshipisilluminedby。'
WhenonceamaniswellconvincedthatallhedoescomesfromtheHolyGhost，thereisbutlittlethathecannotdowithsatisfactiontohimself。
Self
murderers，accordingtothecustomofthosetimes，werenotallowedadmissionintoholyground，asifthefactofhavingfoundtheirlifeunbearabledebarredthemfromtherighttobeconsideredmen。Suchamanafewyearspreviouslyhadbeenburiedatacross
road。ItnowoccurredtoCardenastohaveaspecialrevelationonthesubject；and，curiouslyenough，thisspecialrevelationwasonthesideofcommon
sense。`Thisbody，'saidtheBishop，`isthatofaChristian，andIfeelprettysurehissoulisnowinbliss。'
Hegavenoreasonforhisopinion，asisthewayofmostreligiousfolk，but，ashehadspecialmeansofcommunicationwithheaven，mostpeoplewerecontented。IncontinentlyhehadthecorpsedugupandburiedinthechurchoftheIncarnation，himselfperformingallthefuneralrites。
Althoughamiracleortwowouldhaveshockednobody，still，inthematterofthesuicidehehadgonetoofarforthesimplepeopleoftheplace。Theymurmured，andforamomenttheBishop'sprestigewasinjeopardy；butinthenickoftimehisBullsarrived，broughtbyhisnephew，PedrodeCardenas，who，likehimself，wasaFranciscanfriar。Thissavedhim，andgavethepeoplesomethingnewtothinkof，thoughatthesametimeheincurredanewanxiety。
IntheBullstherewasapassagetotheeffectthat，ifathisconsecrationanyirregularityhadbeenincurred，hewasliabletosuspensionfromallhisfunctions。ThistheJesuitwhotranslatedthedocumentsintoSpanishforthepurposeofpublicationdrewhisattentionto。
However，Cardenaswasnotamantobeintimidatedbysosmallamatter，butreadthetranslationtothepeopleintheCathedral，andintimatedtothemthatthePopehadgivenhimunlimitedpowerinParaguay，bothinmattersspiritualandtemporal。
ThoughDonGregorio，theGovernor，waspresentattheceremony，hemadenoprotestattheassumptionoftemporalpowerbyCardenas。
Hehadremarkedit，though，andsecretlydeterminedtoshowhimthathispretensionswereunfounded。Hisnephew，DonPedrodeCardenas，furnishedtheoccasion。ThisyoungmanhadbeendespatchedtoSpaintogettheBulls。Uponthevoyageheseemstohaveconductedhimselfwithscantpropriety。Onhisreturn，whenpassingCorrientes，hetookonboardaladywhomCharlevoix，quiteinthespiritoftheauthoroftheBookofProverbs，describesas`unejeunefemmebienfaite'。
Havingsomequalmsofconscience，heputonaseculardress，andonnearingAsuncionputhisreligioushabitoverit。
Insuchaclimatethisdoublecostumemusthavebeeninconvenient，andwhyheshouldhavewornonedressabovetheotherdoesnotappear。
Hisuncle，inhisdelightattheforthcomingoftheBulls，mostprobablypaidlittleattentiontohisappearance。
Helodgedhiminthepalace，andassignedhimaprebendarywhichwasvacant。
Wherethe`jeunefemmebienfaite'waslodgedisnotsetdown，andthepeopleofAsuncionnodoubtlookedlenientlyonsuchaffairs，asdoessocietyto
dayinEngland。Afterhisusualfashion，theBishopsetalldowntocalumny。
AboutthistimetheGovernorhadputinprisononeAmbrosioMorales，asub
officialoftheInquisition，whohadhadaquarrelwithanofficer。
Cardenas，beinginformedofthis，couldnotlosesogoodachanceofexercisingthepowerhearrogatedintemporalaffairs。
Holdingamonstranceinhishands，hewenttotheprisonandaskedfortheprisoner，placingthemonstranceonatableattheprisongate。
TherectoroftheJesuitcollegecameandexpostulatedwithhim，sayingthatitwasnotfittingtoexposethebodyofJesusChristinsuchaplace，andthatitwasnotdecentthattheBishophimselfshouldstaythere。Consideringhisposition，andthetimesinwhichhelived，itseemstherectorwasjudiciousinhisexpostulation。Cardenasrepliedthathewouldstaytheretilltheprisonerwasreleased。Therector，knowinghimtobeasobstinateasamalemule，wentandbeggedtheGovernortoletMoralesout。Thishedidatonce，andthentheBishop，crossinhand，returnedintriumphtothepalacewiththerescuedInquisitorfollowingamongsthistrain。Thepeople，whoselivesweredull，snatchedattheopportunityforsomeamusement，andsaidthatitwasgoodlucktheGovernorandBishopwerenotalwaysofonemind，forthattheiragreementhadcausedthedemolitionofachurchandconvent，andtheirquarrelthesettingofaprisonerfree。
ThislittletriumphemboldenedtheBishoptogofurther。HeadmittedMoralesintominororders，gavehimthetonsure，andthus，havingplacedhimabovethetemporalpower，enabledhimtobravetheGovernoropenly。
TheBishop'snephew，takingtheGovernor'skindnessforweakness，brokepubliclyintoinsultingtermsabouthim。TheGovernor'sbrother，FatherHinostrosa，pressedhimtovindicatehisdignity，butherefused，sayinghewantedpeaceatanyprice。ThispolicytheBishopdidnotunderstand，forallconcessionshesetdownasweakness，andtheyencouragedhimtofreshexactionsandmoreviolence。
DiningwiththeGovernor，theBishopchancedtoseeuponthetableafinepairofsilvercandlesticks。ToseeandtodesirewithCardenaswastoask，andsoheintimatedtotheGovernorhiswishtohavethem。TheGovernor，thinking，perhaps，towipeouttheremembranceofthedifficultyaboutMorales，sentthemtothepalacewithhiscompliments。TheBishoptookthepresent，and，turningtothemanwhobroughtthem，said，`IshouldnowbequitecontentifIonlyhadthesilverewerandflagonwhichInoticedinyourmaster'shouse。'TheGovernor，wemaysuppose，onhearingthismadewhattheSpaniardscall`larisadelconejo'；
butsenttheplateandamessage，sayingallhishousecontainedwasattheBishop'sservice。DonBernardino，who，thoughhemayhavebeenasaint，ashisfriendsproclaimed，wascertainlyfarfromagentleman，sentfortheflagonandtheewer，whichhereceivedatonce，togetherwithafriendlymessagefromtheGovernor。
Buteventhisfree
willofferingbroughtnoquiet，foranewquarrelsoonarosebetweentheBishopandtheunluckywielderofthetemporalpower。
TheSocietyoftheHolySacramentenjoyedan`encomienda'
atornearAsuncion。TheBishop，nodoubtthinkinghewasmostfittedtoindoctrinatetheIndians，endeavouredtopersuadetheGovernortogettheSocietyoftheHolySacramenttomaketheirIndiansovertohimself。
TheGovernor，whoknewhisfellow
countrymen，flatlyrefused，anduponthisDonBernardinofellintoafury，andreproachedhimwithsuchbitternessthatDonGregorio，too，oversteppedtheboundsofprudence，andthrewtheconductofhisnephewwiththe`jeunefemmebienfaite'
intotheBishop'steeth。
Hellhasbeensaidtohavenofuryequaltoawomanscorned，butaBishopthwartedmakesaverytolerableshow。DonBernardinowasoneofthosewhothinkaninsulttothemselvescarrieswithitachallengetoGod，anoutrageonreligion，andgenerallyconceivethehonourofHeavenisattackedbyanycontradictionofthemselves。
ToanimadvertupontheactionsofaBishop'snephewisasbadasheresy
farworsethansimony
andthemanwhodoesitcannotbutbeahereticatheart。So，atleast，DonBernardinothought；
for，withcandle，bell，andbook，andwhatwasrequisite，heexcommunicatedthepoorGovernor，anddeclaredhimincompetenttobeartheroyalstandardinareligiousfestivalwhichwasshortlytotakeplace。Excommunicationwasatleastasseriousthenasbankruptcyisnow，thoughinSpanishAmericaitdidnotcarrywithitsuchdirefulconsequencesasinEuropeanStates。
Notwishingtouseforce，theGovernoryieldedthepoint，anddidnottroubletheprocession。Hismoderateconductgainedhimmanypartisans，andputmanypeopleagainsttheCardenas。
Thenephew，PedrodeCardenas，thoughtitagoodoccasiontoinsulttheGovernorinpublic；soonedayinthestreethefollowedhim，castingreflectionsonhismotherandhisfemalerelatives。
DonGregorio，whowasamanoftriedcourage，havingservedforyearsagainsttheIndiansofArauco，thebravestraceofalltheIndiansofAmerica，controlledhistemper，and，turningtotheyoungFranciscan，said，`GowithGod，myfather；butdonottrymeanymore。'
ItwasnottobeexpectedthatinthosetimesandsuchaplaceamanlikeDonGregoriodeHinostrosa，whohadpassedhislifeuponthefrontiers，andwhoheldsupremeauthority，wouldquietlysubmittosuchapublicinsult；soonenightheappearedattheBishop'spalace，accompaniedbysoldiers，toarrestDonPedro。OutcameCardenas，andexcommunicatedtheGovernorandallhissoldiersonthespot，andDonPedropointedapistolathishead。He，seeinghimselfobligedeithertomakeapublicscandalorretire，beingforpeaceatanyprice，retired，andthetriumphantBishoppublishedhisedictofexcommunication，whichheextendedwithafineoffiftycrownstoeverysoldierwhohadbeenpresentatthescene。Onreflection，thinking，perhaps，itwasunwisetoexcommunicatesomanysoldiers，whomightbeneededtorepelanIndianattack，hesentandtoldtheGovernorhewasreadytoabsolvehimuponeasyterms。TheGovernor，whohadmadelightofthefirstexcommunication，wasratherstaggeredwhenhefoundthesecondpostedattheCathedraldoor。
Andnowacomedyensued；forDonGregoriowenttotheBishop，andonhiskneesaskedforforgiveness。He，takenunawares，alsokneltdown，and，whentheGovernorkissedhishand，wishedtoreturnthecompliment，andwouldhavedonesohadtherectoroftheJesuitcollegenotpreventedhim。
AsCharlevoixsays，`toseethemontheirknees，noonecouldhaveimaginedwhichoneitwaswhoaskedtheother'sgrace。'TheBishopgrantedabsolutiontotheGovernor；butthesoldiers'actionhadbeenflatsacrilegeatleast，foreveryoneofthemwasforcedtopaythefine。
Twoexcommunicationsinaweekwerealmost，onewouldthink，enoughtosatisfyaPope；buthavingnominatedoneDiegoHernandez，aPortuguese，tothepostofAlguacilMayoroftheInquisition，andgivenhimtherighttowearaswordinvirtueofhisoffice，theGovernor，meetingthemaninthestreetwearingaswordagainsthisregulations，madehimaprisoner。AtonceDonBernardinolaunchedanotherexcommunication。Butthistimehehadgonetoofar；
theGovernorlaughedathisthunder，andcondemnedtheprisonertobehanged。
Athiswits'end，theBishopsentaservanttotheman，andtoldhimtofearnothing，forthat，ifhesuffereddeath，hewasamartyr，andthathehimselfwouldpreachhisfuneralsermon。
TheGovernor，whowasperhapsahumorist，laughedatthemessage，which，hesaid，wasnotconsoling，andthenhimselfletHernandezoutofprisonunderheavybail。Theexcommunicationwasthentakenoff，andpeaceoncemorereignedinAsuncion。
Aswellasbeingnotgiventowine，itisessentialthataBishopshallknowhowtokeephisowncounsel
asLorenzoGracianexpressesit，
`nottolie，butnotforthattospeakoutalwaysthewholetruth。'
EveryonewhoknewtheBishopandhishastytemperwasastonishedathisbehaviourtotheJesuits。NooneimaginedhehadforgottentheattitudetherectoroftheUniversityofCordovahadassumedtowardshisconsecration，andstilltheBishopseemedtoshowmorefavourtotheJesuitsinAsuncionthantothemembersoftheotherreligiouscommunities。
Perhapshefeltthewantofpartisansamongsttheeducatedclasses，forhisquarrelwiththeGovernorhadlosthimmanyfriends。
CertainlyinAsuncionitwasofgreatimportancethattheJesuitsshouldnotdeclareagainsthimopenly。
`OraculoManualyArtedePrudencia'Amsterdam，encasadeJuanBlau，1659。
Hepraisedthemfulsomelybothinthepulpitandinconversation，wentinprocessiontotheirchurch，andtreatedtheminpublicwithmarkedconsideration。AsacontemporaneousJesuithasleftarecord，theywerenothisdupes，butstillendeavouredtoliveuptothepraiseshedispensedtothem。HewentsofarasinalettertotheKing，PhilipIV。，tosaythattheJesuitsonlyinallParaguaywerereallyfittedtohavethecareofIndians，andheadvisedtheKingtotransfertheIndianswhowereunderotherreligiousbodies，aswellasthoseunderthesecularclergy，tothecareandguidanceofthatOrder。
NodoubtinthistheBishopwasright，evenifnotsincere。
OneofthequalificationstheJesuitshadforthecareofIndianswasthattheIndiansdidnotlookonthemasSpaniards。
AsinthesamewaythatinMatabeleland，perhaps，aGerman，Frenchman，orItalianislesshatefultothenativesthananEnglishman，soinParaguaytheIndianslikedtheJesuitsbetterthantheotherOrders，forthereweremanyforeignersamongsttheirranks。TheJesuitssooncomprehendedthattheBishopwishedtomakethemodioustothepublicbyoverpraise。Tosettoworkinsuchamanneralmostrequiresanearlytraininginaseminary，andthatsuchtacticsshouldhavebeenputinforceagainstsuchskilleddiplomatistsasweretheJesuitsarguesnoordinarycapacityfordiplomaticworkinCardenas。
Withhim，however，theSpanishproverb，`Betwixtthewordanddeedthespaceisgreat'，hadlittleapplication。ThevicarofaplacecalledArecaya，closetoAsuncion，hadfallenintodisgrace；theBishopremovedhimfromhisparish，andaskedtherectoroftheJesuitcollegetosendapriesttotakehisplace。Theanswerhereceivedwaspolitic，andtotheeffectthattherewasnoJesuitwhocouldbespared，andeveniftherewasitill
befittedanyJesuittoinfringeuponthedutiesofthesecularclergy；butthat，ifCardenasintendedtofoundanewreductionwithalltheprivilegesthattheKinghadalwaysgiventothatkindofestablishment，therectorhimselfwouldaskpermissionfromhisProvincialtoundertakethework。Asplendidanswer，andonewhichprovedthatthemanwhogaveitwasamanwastedinParaguay，andthathisplacebyrightswasRomeor，attheleast，somecourt。
DonBernardino，whoinmatterssuchasthesewasquiteascunningastherector，thankedhim，andsaidhedidnotwantasaint，butapriesttotakethedutyofanotherpriestforashorttime。
Therector，seeinghisdiplomacyhadfailed，toldFatherMansilla，whowasatItatines，totransferhimselftoArecaya，and，writingtotheBishop，toldhimthathehadnodoubtMansillawoulddoallthatwasfittinginthecase。TheBishop，whohadgainedhispointandsawnofurtherusefordiplomacy，said:
`OfthatIamquitesure，andifhedoesnotIshallexcommunicatehim，andlaythedistrictoftheItatinesunderaninterdict。'
NothingappearedtogiveDonBernardinosuchunmitigatedpleasureasanexcommunication；ontheslightestprotesthewasready，sothatduringhisepiscopatesomeoneorotherinAsuncionmusthavealwaysbeenunderthebanofHolyMotherChurch。
TherectorfeltinstinctivelythatDonBernardinohadnotdonewithhim。
Thiswasthecase，forsoonanotherordercametosendtwoJesuitstoundertaketheguidanceofamissionnearVillaRica。
AsatthetimetheJesuitshadnomissionsnearVillaRica，theorderwasmostunpleasanttohim。Firstly，thetwowhowent
FathersGomezandDomenecchi
hadtoleavetheirmissionsandundertakealengthyjourneyinthewilds。OnreachingVillaRica，theyfoundnotonlythattheinhabitantslookedonthemwithgreatdisfavourasinterlopers，butthattheIndians，whomtheyweresenttoguide，wereunderthe`encomienda'system，thusforcingthemtowinkatthatwhichtheydisapproved。Theresolutionthattheytookdidthemgreathonour；
itwastoleavethetownofVillaRicaandliveoutintheforestswiththeIndians。
TheJesuitsofthecollegeatAsuncionfeltthesituationkeenly。
Peoplebegantomurmuratthemfortheirinvasionofthespiritualdomainsofothers，andtherector，indespair，senttotheBishop，andbeggedhimnottopraisetheminhissermons。NothingcostCardenassolittleastopromise，sohepromisednottomentionthemagain，andnexttimethathepreachedhespentanhourintellingofthewondersthattheJesuitshaddoneinsavingsouls，notonlyamongstCatholics，butalsoamongsttheinfidelsandTurks。ThetacticsoftheBishopweresomarkedthatatlastarumourreachedDonMelchiorMaldonado，theBishopofTucuman，ofwhomDonBernardinoalwaysstoodindread。
Hislettersomehowbecamepublic，andasinithespokemostwarmlyoftheJesuits，andpraisedtherector，thepublicturnedagainupontheirside。Justatthistime，however，thesleepingfeudbetweentheBishopandtheGovernorbrokeoutanewwithsomuchfurythatattentionwasdirectedfromtheJesuitsforthetimebeing；
butonthemthesituationstillwashung，andbothsidesmadeadvancestothemforsupport。
ChapterV
RenewalofthefeudbetweentheBishopandDonGregorio
WholesaleexcommunicationsinAsuncion
Cardenasin1644
formulateshiscelebratedchargesagainsttheJesuits
TheGovernor，afterlongnegotiationsandmuchdisplayofforce，ultimatelysucceedsindrivingouttheBishop
ForthreeyearsCardenasisindesperatestraits
In1648DonGregorioissuddenlydismissed，CardenaselectshimselfGovernor，andforashorttimebecomessupremeinAsuncion
TheJesuitsareforcedtoleavethetownandtofleetoCorrientes
AnewGovernorisappointedinAsuncion
HedefeatsCardenasonthefieldofbattle
Thelatterisdeprivedofhispower，anddiessoonafterasBishopofLaPazTheGovernor，likeaprudentsoldier，wasbidinghistime。TheBishop，notyetstrongenoughtowalkalone，darednotbreakopenlywiththeJesuits。
DonPedroCardenasstillfollowinguphisevilcourses，poorDonGregorioHinostrosa，accustomedallhislifetodealwith`officersandgentlemen'，thoughtfittobringthisunderhisuncle'snotice。TheBishopspoketohisnephewinapaternalfashion，enjoiningcertainpenancesuponhim，andamongstothersthathewastokisstheearth。AlthoughDonPedroCardenaswasnotamanaccustomedtolavishkissesonthingsinanimate，hecomplied，but，thoughcomplying，stillpursuedhisviciouscourse。
QuiteinthemannerofKingCharlesofpiousmemory，theGovernordeterminedtoarresttherecalcitrantwithhisownhand。Armedtotheteeth，andwithabandofmusketeersaccompanyinghim，heappearedbeforetheconventofSt。Francis，whereFatherCardenashadtakenrefuge，and，dragginghimfromhisbed，haledhimincontinentlytotheriver'sbank，andlefthimgaggedandbound，apreytofliesandsun，fortwowholedays，dressedinhisdrawersandshirt。OnthethirddayhewasembarkedinacanoeforCorrientes，withasmallquantityofjerkedbeefforallprovision，andawoman'scloakwrappedroundhisshoulderstoshieldhimfromthecold。Notquitetheguiseinwhichaclergymanwouldcaretoappearbeforetheeyesofhissuperiors，eveninParaguay。
Naturally，theBishop，havingnothingelsetodo，gotouthisexcommunicationinhisusualstyle，butnomanmarkedhim。
MeantimeAsuncionwasinconfusion，theBishopandtheGovernorkeepingnomeasurewiththeothermanofsin。Onetriedtoobtainpossessionoftheother'spersontothrowhimintoprison；
theotherstrovetoanimatethepreachersinthevariouschurchestoconsignhisrival'ssoultohell。Inthedesertedstreetsdrumsthundered，whilstintheairbellsjangled，andthequiet，sleepytownwasrentintwainbythedissensionsoftheopposingpowers。Thechurchesclosedtheirdoors，andtheconsolationsofreligionwerewithdrawnfromthosewhowantedthem。
Toaddtotheconfusion，DonPedroCardenasescapedfromCorrientes，and，havingtakentohimselfacompanion
oneFranciscoSanchezdeCarreras
ragedthroughthecitylikeadevilunchained。Inhisextremity，thepoorBishopwenttotheJesuitsforadvice，informingthemhecouldnotstandthescandalsthatweretakingplace，andthatheintendedtoleavethecityafterlaunchinganinterdictofexcommunicationuponall。
PlacedinthepositionofdeclaringopenlyeitherforBishoporforGovernor，theJesuitsrefusedananswer，knowingthatanythingtheysaidwouldbebroughtupagainstthem。Alltheiradvicetohimwas，`totrustinGod，topersevereinhisgoodefforts，toresignhimselftodivinewill，whichwill，astheBishopknewfullwell，workedsometimesinamysteriousfashionforthewelfareofthesoul。'
TheBishopansweredthisadvice`fortsechement'，takingitforareproach，andasasortofthingnottobetoleratedamongstprofessionals
asifonelawyer，havinggonetoanotherforhisadviceuponaprivatematter，hadreceivedforansweralectureonconveyancingorashorttreatiseuponRomanLaw。
Charlevoix。
Still，theoccasioncalledforsomethingtobedone；
so，callinganIndianservant，hestrippedtothewaist，and，tothehorrorandamazementofthepublic，appearedwithnakedfeetandshoulders，dressedinasackandarmedwithaheavyscourge。
AtthefirstblowhegavehimselfsomecanonsoftheCathedralbeggedhimtodesist；buthe，afterprayer，repliedthatheintended，sotospeak，toactashisownPascallamb，andwipeouttheaffrontdonetoSt。Francisinhisunworthyblood。
AnakedBishopinasackisalmostsuretoattractsomeobservationeveninParaguay。Religiouswomennotunfrequentlyhavebeenattractedbysuchaspectacle，andsoitprovedonthisoccasion。
AlthoughtheJesuitsandthesanerportionofthepopulationblamedtheBishop'saction，hemadehimselfahostofpartisansamongstthewomenofallclasses，whofollowedhimastheyhaveoftenfollowedotherthaumaturgistsintimespresentandgoneby。
HisfriendDonMelchiorMaldonado，hearingwhathadpassed，wrotetoreprovehimforhisinconsideratezeal。Inhisepistleheobservedthat，thoughsomeoftheApostleshadscourgedthemselves，itwasnottheirhabittoappearhalfnakedbeforeacrowdofwomen；
thatourLordHimselfhadnotofHisownaccordtakenoffHisgarmentsforthescourger；thatsaintswhoscourgedthemselveshad，asageneralrule，chosenaprivateplacefortheirself
discipline。Thiswasquitereasonable，buttheadvicewaslittletothetasteoftherecipient，whohatedcriticismwhenlevelledathimself。
Ifcrossesmakeasaint，aboutthistimeDonBernardinohadhisfullshareofthem。NewscamefromItatines，wherethetwoJesuitshadbeenmarooned，thatbothofthemwereill。Cardenas，who，wemayremember，was`hommeavisions'，calledintherectoroftheJesuitcollegetoinformhimthattheCompanyofJesushadanewmartyrintheirranks。
Thoughmartyrsevento
dayentertheranksofGeneralLoyola'sarmyprettyfrequently，itstillseemedstrangethattheBishopshouldknowofthisparticularrecruitbeforetherector。
Pressedforanexplanation，herepliedthatapiouspersonwhowasvouchsafedcommunicationwiththeLordinprayerhadseenFatherDomenecchiinheavenshiningingloryandwithahaloroundhishead。
Nothingcouldbemoresatisfactory。Alltheessentialsofawell
attestedmiraclehadbeencompliedwith。Amanwasdead，anothermanhadseenthedeadmaninanecstasyofprayer，and，tomakeallcomplete，refusedtotestifyhimself，sendingtheBishopasasortofpiousphonograph。Notruebelieverinsuchacasecoulddoubt，andallwentwelltillitappearedamanfromItatines，chargedwithamessagetotheJesuitcollege，hadpassedthenightbeforehegavehismessageattheBishop'shouse。InHolyWritwereadthewickedmanshallhavenorest；ifthisisso，itisasitshouldbe，thoughgenerallythegoodseemjustastroubledintheirlivesasthemosterringoftheirbrethren。Hewhowouldbeasaintmustbea
doing，yearin，yearout，justlikeacommonworkman，andCardenaswasnoexceptiontotherule。
Thepseudo
miraclenothavingbeenquiteasuccess，heturnedtootherfields，andsummonedalltheinhabitantsofParaguaytoattendattheCathedraluponacertainday。TheGovernor，thinkingtherewasarevolutionlikelytobreakout，fixedareviewofallthetroopsforthesamedate。
AJesuitpriestwaitedupontheBishoptopersuadehimthatthecrowdswhichwouldassemblemightbreakthepeace。TheBishopreassuredhim，andsenthimtotheGovernortosaythathisintentionwastopreachtothepeopleandexplaintothemthefaith；further，thatheintendedonthatdaytoraisehisexcommunicationandbereconciled:
onlyheaskedhimtoallowthetroopstoattendandhearhissermon。
Thecrowdwasgreat；theBishopmountedthepulpit，and，extendinghisforefingerintheattitudeofmaledictionsodeartoBishops，straightbegantopreach。Foratimeallwentwell。TheGovernor，presumably，waswaitingforthecirculationofthehat
thatawfulmysterywhichmakesallsectskin
whentohishorrorCardenasbegantoenumerateallhisoffences:hewasanathema，wasexcommunicated，adisbeliever，andhadendeavouredtocastdownthatwhichtheLordHimselfhadsetonhigh。
TheBishoptheninformedthecrowdthatGodwasangrywiththeGovernor，talkedaboutMoses，anddweltwithunctiononthefactthatthegreatlawgiverhadbeenswifttoslay。
Inaperorationwhich，nodoubt，wenthometoall，hecalleduponhishearers，underpenaltyofaheavyfineandhisdispleasure，toseizetheGovernor，addingthatiftherewasresistance`heshouldkillhisbrother，hisfriend，orhisnearestrelative。'Afterthesewordsheseizedabannerfromthehandsoftheastonishedofficerwhostoodnearesttohim，andstoodforth，likeanotherPhineas，surroundedbyhisclergy，allofwhomhadarmsbeneaththeircloaks。
Exod。32:27。
Amostdramaticscene，andprobablyalmostsuccessful，hadbuttheBishoponlyreckonedwithtwothings:Firstly，hehadforgottenthattheGovernorwasanoldIndianfighter，andreadyforsurprises；and，secondly，hehadnottakenintoaccounttheusualapathyofthecommonpeoplewhentheirleadersfight。Dumblyandquiteunmovedthepeoplestood，staringlikearmadillosatasnake，andmadenosign。ThenwordwasbroughtthattheGovernorhadleftthechurchandwasassemblingaforceofarquebusiers。
Surroundedonlybyclergymen，DonBernardinohadtoyield，andyieldedlikeaLevite，withasubterfuge。HesentapriesttobegthemagistratestocometotheCathedralandreasonwithhim。
Afteraconsultationthiswasdone，andCardenasconsentedtoabatehisfuryandexhalehiswrath。HesaidthatHolyWrititselfgaveleavetorecurtoforceinself
defencebutdidnotquotethetext，andthattheGovernorhadmeditatedalikeenterpriseagainsthimself；
moreover，that，hebeinganexcommunicatedman，itbecamelawfulforGod'svicegerenttolayholdonhim。
Afterthescenewasover，andtheBishopwasescortedbacktohispalacebythemagistrates，asecondlettercamefromTucumanmakingplainhisconducttohimafterthemannerofafriend。
TherectoroftheJesuitsalsothoughtfittoremonstrate，andsaythatCardenashadgonetoofarinattemptingtoassumethetemporalpower。ThissufficedtofurtherstraintherelationsbetweentheBishopandtheJesuits。
As，eveninAsuncionin1643，itwasunusualthattheGovernorshouldremainforeverunderthebanofHolyMotherChurch，arbiterswerechosentodiscussthematter，andprovidemeanswherebytheBishopcouldconvenientlyclimbdown。ThearbitersabsolvedtheGovernorontheconditionthathepaidafineoffourthousandarrobasof`yerbamate'，whichinmoneyamountedtoeightthousandcrowns。Quitenaturally，theBishoprefusedtoabidebythedecision，replacedhisadversaryundertheban，andrecommencedtopreachagainsthimwithconsiderableforce。