A Decree for Proroguing the Session.
THis most Holy Oecumenick and General Synod, which was lately assembled in the City of Trent, now lawfully assembled in the Spirit of Holiness, at Bononia, the most Reverend Lords D. Jo. Maria, Bishop of Praeneste and Monte, and Marcellus, Presbyter of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, Cardinals of the Holy Church of Rome, and prime Apostolick Legats presiding therein, in the Name of our most Holy Father in Christ, and of our Lord, the Lord Paul the III. by Di∣vine Providence, Pope, considering that on the 9th day of March of this present Year, in a General publick Session, in the before-said City of Trent, and in the accustom'd place, all things to be done being finish'd according to Custom, for causes at that time pressing, urgent and lawful, the Pope's Authority also interve∣ning, being specially granted to his most Reverend Presidents therein, did Decree and Ordain, That the Council should be removed, as it is, from that place un∣to this City; and likewise the aforesaid Session appointed to be held on this pre∣sent 21st day of March, ought to be celebrated in this City of Bononia, that the Canons about the matters of the Sacraments and Reformation might be Esta∣blish'd and Divulg'd; and considering that some of the Fathers, who were wont to be present at the Council, being imploy'd in their Respective Churches on these high Days of the Solemnization of Easter, some also detain'd by other Im∣pediments, are not yet got hither, but it's hoped will be here in a short time; and it will so come to pass, that in this Frequency of Prelates, which the Holy Council did so much desire, the very matters of the Sacraments and Reformation may be examin'd and discussed: That all things may be done deliberately, with honour and due gravity, it hath and doth think good, fit and expedient, that the before-said Session, which was to be celebrated on this very Day, as is said before, be put off and prorogued, and it doth put it off and prorogue it until Thursday before the Octave of Whitsontide next following, for the better dispatch∣ing of the foresaid matters; which day it hath declared and doth judge to be most fit for the Business, and most especially commodious for the Fathers that are absent. Adding, That this said Holy Synod can and may be able, even at a private meeting, to put off the time aforesaid at its will and pleasure, as it shall think expedient, with respect to the conveniencies of the Council.