embrace charity, which is the bond of perfectness, and to show forth the peace of Christ rejoicing in their hearts, to the which they are called in one body.[1] Wherefore, in hearing this voice, not of man, but of the Holy Ghost, let them not harden their hearts,[2] but, walking not after their own sense,[3] nor pleasing themselves,[4] let them be excited and turned unto this so charitable and salutary an admonition of their own mother. For, as the holy synod invites, so will it embrace them with all offices of love. Yet further, this same holy synod has decreed, that the public faith may be granted in a general congregation, and that it shall have the same force, and shall be of the same strength and weight, as if it had been given and decreed in a public session.
INDICTION OF THE NEXT SESSION.
The same sacred and holy Synod of Trent, lawfully assembled in the Holy Ghost,—the same legates of the Apostolic See presiding therein,—ordains and decrees, that the next ensuing session be held and celebrated on the Thursday after the most sacred festival of the Ascension of our Lord, which will be on the fourteenth day of the month of May.
SAFE-CONDUCT GRANTED TO THE GERMAN NATION,
In a General Congregation, on the fourth day of March, 1562.
The sacred and holy, œcumenical and general Synod of Trent, lawfully assembled in the Holy Ghost,—the same legates of the Apostolic See presiding therein,—pledges faith to all men, that, by the tenor of these presents, it grants and wholly concedes the public faith, and the fullest and most true security, which they call a safe-conduct, to all and each, the priests, electors, princes, dukes, marquises, counts, barons, nobles, soldiers, common people, and to all other men soever, of what state, condition, or quality soever they be, of the province and nation of Germany, and to the cities and other places thereof, and to all other ecclesiastical and secular persons, especially those of the Confession of Augsburg, who shall come, or shall be sent with them to this General
