The Bull for the Celebration of the Council of Trent, under Pope Pius the Fourth.

Pius Bishop, and Chief Minister of the Servants of God, to the Perpetual Memory of thing.

BEing called to the Government of the Church by the alone vouchsafement of Allmighty God, although unfit for so great a Charge, imediately considering intently all the parts of the Christian Common-wealth; and perceiving, not without a great Horror, how long and how far the pest of Heresies and Schism had got footing, and what great need the manners of Christian People were in of Correction or Amendment, we begun, according to our place, upon that care and consideration, to endeavour the Extirpation of those Heresies, and the taking away of so great and so pernicious a Schism, and amendment of Manners so much corrupted and depraved. But understanding, that the fittest remedy for the cure of these Evils, and which this holy See has been wont to administer, was that of a General Oecumenick Council; we have taken Advice for the Congregating and Celebrating of one, with Gods Assistance. It was indeed formerly call'd by the late happy Paul III. and by his Successor Julius, our Predecessors, but for sun∣dry reasons being often hindred and interrupted, it could not effectually be brought about. For Paul, having first appointed the Celebration of the said. Council in the City of Mantua, and afterwards at Vincentia; for some Reasons express'd in his Letters, he first suspends, and then transfers the Council to Page  83Trent. Here also the Time of its Celebration is delayed and put off upon parti∣cular accounts; when at last, all Suspensions and other Impediments laid aside, it was begun in the said City of Trent. But after some Sessions holden and some Decrees made, the said Council was afterwards for some Causes, together with the concurrent Authority of the See Apostolical, transferred to Bulleign. But Julius, who succeeded Paul, recalls the same in the said City of Trent: At which time some other Decrees are also made. And now some Stirs and Commotions arising in the neighbouring Places of Germany, and a direfull War raging in Italy and France, the Council is again suspended, and put off; the Enemy of Mankind then setting all his Engines at Work, by throwing all the difficulties and Obsta∣cles he could in the way, to delay and retard at least the Good and Welfare of the Church as long as he could, since it was not in his power to take it away or totally subvert it. In the mean time Heresies exceedingly increased, multiplied and propagated; the Schism grew wider and wider; which to remember as it raises our Sorrow, so to relate auguments our Grief. But at length, the good and merciful God, who is never so angry, as to forget Mercy; vouchsafed to give peace and unity to Christian Kings and Princes. Which opportunity thus offered to us, We hope the said Mercy will be readily embraced, that so by the means of a Council an end may be put to these so great and growing Evils of the Church. We therefore have thought fit, to the end the said Schism and Heresies may be taken away, Manners amended and reformed, and Peace among Chri∣stian Princes preserved, that the Celebration of the said Council be no longer de∣ferred. Wherefore upon mature Advice and Deliberation had with the Reverend our Brethren, the Cardinals of the holy Church of Rome, and having acquainted our most dear Sons in Christ, Ferdinand Elect Emperour of the Romans, and other Kings and Princes with this our Counsel, whom we have indeed found, as in their great Piety and Wisdom they promised, ready to advance and help for∣ward the celebration of the said Council: We do, to the praise, honour and glory of Almighty God, and the good of the Church universal, by and with the advice and consent of our said Brethren, summon and appoint an Holy, Oecu∣menick, and General Council, by authority of the same God, and the blessed Apostles, Peter and Paul, which authority we also are invested with and enjoy upon Earth; to be holden in the City of Trent, upon the most holy Festival of the Resurrection of our Lord now next ensuing, and the same then and there to be celebrated, we do ordain and appoint, without any suspension whatsoever. Wherefore we do earnestly admonish and exhort in the Lord, as also strictly charge and command the Reverend our Brethren, from all places, Patriarchs, Arch-bishops, and our beloved Sons the Abbots, and all and singular other per∣son or persons, who may or ought by any common Right, Priviledge, or anci∣ent Custome to sit and give sentence in a General Council, that by virtue of Holy Obedience, and in regard also of the Oath they have taken, and under the pe∣nalties which they know are made and constituted in the Holy Canons for those who shall neglect to come to General Councils, they do convene and assem∣ble at or upon the day appointed to celebrate the said Council; except perad∣venture they be hindred by any lawful Lett or Impediment; which said Impedi∣iment, they shall and ought to attest by lawful Procurators in the Synod. Page  84Furthermore We admonish all and singular person or persons, whom it doth or may concern, that they fail not to be present at the said Council. But we ex∣hort and pray our most dear Sons in Christ, the Elect Emperor of the Romans, and the other Kings and Princes, whom it were heartily to be wisht could be present in the Council, that, if they cannot be personally present there them∣selves, they send prudent, grave, and pious men their Orators, who may be there present in their name and behalf; as also that they will take a diligent care, that their Prelates, when out of their respective Kingdoms and Dominions, do perform their Duty to God and the Church, without any denyal and delay, at a time so convenient and fit: Not doubting but that they will also provide, that a safe and free passage through their respective Kingdoms and Dominions be allowed to Prelates, and their Servants and Retinue, and to all other persons going to, or returning from the said Council; and that they be received and treated in all places courteously and benignly; as we our selves will also take care, in what appertains to us; who have purposed not to omit any thing which can by us be done, for the effecting so pious and wholsome a Work: Desiring nothing else, God knoweth, nor having any other purpose or intent in celebrating this Council, but the Honour of God, the bringing back the Sheep dispersed and gone astray, and the Welfare and perpetual Peace and Tranquillity of Christendom. To the end then that these Letters, and what things soever are therein contained, may, as they ought, come to the know∣ledge of every one; that none may pretend Ignorance of the same, as an ex∣cuse or pretext: especially because a safe Passage may not perhaps be free unto all those, whom it behoveth to be certified of these Letters: We will and command, that they be rehearsed openly with a loud Voice by the Courrier of our Court, or some of our publick Notaries, in the Royal Vatican of the Prince of the Apostles, and in the Lateran Church, at the same time that the people are wont there to assemble and meet together, to be present at the Solemniza∣tion of Mass; and after they shall have been so read, they shall and may be affixed to the Doors of the said Churches, as also to the Apostolick Chancery, and in the accustomed place in the Field of Flora, and there be left for some time, to be read, and made known to all persons: but upon removal and taking away the same, Copies thereof shall after continue affixed to the said places. For our Will is, that by this Recitation, Publication and Affixing, all and sin∣gular the persons, who are comprehended and concluded in these our Letters, after two months next ensuing the publication and affixing of the same, be thence∣forth obliged and bounden, as if the said Letters had been set forth and read in their presence. And further we appoint and command, that whatever Authen∣tication there be taken of these Letters, they shall be strengthened under the hand-writing of some Notary Publick, or his Subscription, or under the Seal and Subscription of some dignified person of the Church, that credit may be thereto given without scruple or doubtfulness. Wherefore it may and shall be lawful for no person whatsoever, to infringe the contents of this our Indiction, Statute, Decree, Precept, Admonition, and Exhortation; or rashly dare to go contrary to the same. But if any shall presume to attempt so to do, be it known to him he will thereby incur the Anger of Almighty God, and of his Page  85Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul. Dated at St. Peters, in Rome, in the Year of the Incarnation of our Lord 1563, in the Kalends of December, and in the first year of our Pontificat.