To this decree there were added eleven canons, anath- ematizing those who held certain heretical doctrines on the subject of the holy eucharist, and especially those contained in the ten articles jjroposed for exami- nation in the congregtition held Sept. 2.
Thus, can. 1 cmidemns the opinion contained in the first of those articles; can. 2, tliat contained in art, 3 ; can. 3, that contained in art. it; cm. 4, that contained in art. 7; can. 5, that contained in art. 4; can. 6, that contained in art. .*>; can. 7, that contained in art. 6: can. 8, that con- tained in art. 2; can. !», tliat contained in art. 10; can. In condemns those who iXewy that the priest may communi- cate alone; and can. 11 condemns those who maintain that faith alone, without confession, is ii sufficient prepa- ration for the communion.
Afterwards, a decree of reformation, containing eight chapters, was read; the subject of it was the jurisdic- tion of bishops.
In a congregation held after this session, twelve ar- ticles on the subjects of penance and extreme unction were examined, taken from the writings of Luther and Ills ilisciples. In a subsecpient congregation the de- crees and canons niion the subject were brought for- ward, together with a ilccrce in fifteen chapters on re- form.
Session A'/r(Nov. 25, 1551). — In this session the de- cree upon penance, in nine chapters, was read.
1. States that our Lord chiefly instituted the sacrament of penance when he breathed upon liis disciples, saying, "Receive ye the lloly Ghost," etc. ; and the council con- demns those wiio refuse to acknowledge that by these Words our Lord communicated to his apostles and to their successors the power of remitting or retaining sins after baptism.
2. That in this sacrament the priest exercises the func-' tiou of judge.
3. That the form of the sacrament, in which its force and virtue resides, is contained in the words of the abso- lution pronounced liy the priest, "Ego te absolvo,"' etc. ; that the jienitential acts are contrition, confession, and sat- isfaction, which are, as it were, the matter of the sacrament.,
4. The council defines contrition to he an inward sor- row for, and liatred of, the sin committed, accompanied by a tirm resolution to cease from it in futuie. With re- spect to imperfect contrition, called attrition, arising merely from the shame and disgracefuluess of sin, or from the fear of punishment, the council declares that if it be accompanied by a hoiie of foigiveness, and excludes the desire to commit siu, ii is a gift of God and a motion of the Holy Spirit; and that, far from rendering a man a hypocrite and a greater sinner, it disposes him (dispnnit) to obtain the <;race of God in the sacrament of penance.
5. The decree then goes ou to establish the necessity of confessing every mortal sin which, by diligent self-ex- amination, can be brought to remembraiue. With re- gard to venial sins, it states that it is not absolutely nec- essaiy to confess them, and that they may be expiated in many other ways.
6. As to llie minister of tliis sacrament, it declares that the power of binding and loosing is, by Christ's appoint- ment, in the priest only ; that this (lower consists not merely in declaring the remission of sins, but in the judi- cial act by which they are remitted.
7. As to the reserved cases, it declares it to be impor- tant to the maintenance of good discipline that certain
j atrocious crimes should not be absolved by every priest, bnt he reserved for the first order.
i>. That we can make satisfaction to God by self-im- posed inflictioii.s, and by those which thepiiest jirescribes, as well as by bearing patiently and with a penitential spirit the temporal sorrows and afflictions which God sends to us.
In conformity with this decree, fifteen canons were pub- lished, condemning those who maintained the opposite doctrines. After thi.s, the decree upon the subject of extreme unction, in three chapters, was read.
Tt stated that this unction was appointed by onr Lord Jesus Christ as a true sacrament of the New Test. ; that it is plainly recommended to the faithful by .James, and that the use of it is insinuaied by Mark. That the matter of the sacrament is the oil consecrated by the bishop, and that its form consists in the words pronounced when the unction is applied ; that its eftect is to wipe out the re- mains of sin, and to reassure and comfort the soul of the sick [lerson by exciting within him a full confidence in God's mercy, and sometimes to restore the health of the body, when such renewed health can advantage the sal- vation of the soul. Th;ir bishops alone may administer this sacrament. That this sacrament oiiLrhtto be t'iven to those who are in danger of death; but that if they re- cover, they may receive it again.
TRENT, COUNCIL OF
537
TRENT, COUNCIL OF
The council tlien agreed upon four canons on the sub- ject, with anathemas.
1. Anathematizes those who teach that extreme mic- tion is not a true sacrament instituted by Jesus Clirisl.
2. Anathematizes those who teacli tliat it does not con- fer ^race, nor remit sin, nor comfort tlie sick.
3. Anathematizes tliose who teach that the Roman rite may be set at naught wiiliout sin.