ON RECEIVING AND OBSERVING THE DECREES OF THE COUNCIL

So great has been the calamitousness of these times, and the inverate malice of the heretics, that there has been nothing ever so clear in the statement of our faith, or so surely settled, which they, at the persuasion of the enemy of the human race, have not defiled by some sort of error. For which cause the holy synod hath taken especial care to condemn and anathematize the principal errors of the heretics of our time, and to deliver and teach the true and Catholic doctrine; even as it has condemned, anathematized, and defined. And whereas so many bishops, summoned from the various provinces of the Christian world, cannot be absent for so long a time without great casting away of the flock committed to them, and without universal danger; and whereas no hope remains that the heretics, after having been so often invited, even with the public faith which they desired, and so long expected, will come hither later; and as it is therefore necessary to put an end at length to the sacred council: it now remains for it to admonish in the Lord all princes, as it hereby does, so to afford their assistance as not to permit the things which it has decreed to be corrupted or violated by heretics; but that they be by them and all others devoutly received and faithfully observed. But if any difficulty should arise in regard of receiving those [decrees], or should any things occur, which it does not believe, which require explanation or definition, the holy synod trusts that, besides the other remedies appointed in this council, the most blessed Roman Pontiff will take care that, for the glory of God and the tranquillity of the Church, provision be made for the necessities of the provinces, either by summoning, particularly out of those provinces where the difficulty shall have arisen, those whom he shall deem it expedient, in treating of the said matters; or even by the celebration of a general council, if he shall judge it necessary; or in such other way as shall seem to him most convenient.