Finally, there was a class, to which admission was gained after long experience, the Professed of Four Vows, the fourth being one of special obedience to the pope.

A small number of secret Jesuits who might be considered as another class, were charged with dangerous missions and with spying.
[Sidenote: General] Over the order was placed a General who was practically, though not theoretically, absolute.

On paper he was limited by the possibility of being deposed and by the election, independently of his influence, of an "admonitor" and some assistants.

In practice the only limitations of his power were the physical ones inherent in the difficulties of administering provinces thousands of miles away.

From every province, however, he received confidential reports from a multitude of spies.
The spirit of the order was that of absolute, unquestioning, blind obedience.