SESSION THE SEVENTH,
Celebrated on the third day of the month of March, 1547.
DECREE CONCERNING THE SACRAMENTS.
Preface.
For the consummation of the salutary doctrine on Justification, which was promulgated in the last preceding session with the unanimous consent of the Fathers, it hath seemed fitting to treat of the most holy Sacraments of the Church, through which all true justice either begins, or being begun is increased, or being lost is repaired. Wherefore, the sacred and holy, œcumenical and general Council of Trent, lawfully assembled in the Holy Ghost, the same legates of the Apostolic See presiding therein,—in order to destroy the errors and to extirpate the heresies, which have appeared in these our days respecting the said most holy sacraments, as well those which have been revived from the heresies condemned of old by our fathers, as also those newly invented which are exceedingly prejudicial to the purity of the Catholic Church, and to the salvation of souls,—[the aforesaid council] adhering to the doctrine of the holy Scriptures to the apostolic traditions, and to the consent of other Councils and of the Fathers, has thought fit to establish and decree these present canons; intending, the divine Spirit aiding, to publish hereafter the remaining canons which are wanting for the completion of the work begun.
TOUCHING THE SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL.
Canon i. If any one shall say, that the sacraments of the New Law were not all instituted by Jesus Christ, our Lord; or, that they are more, or less than seven, to wit, Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Orders, and Matrimony; or even that any one of these seven is not truly and properly a sacrament;. let him be anathema.
Canon ii. If any one shall say, that these said sacraments of the New Law are not differ from the sacraments of the Old Law, save that the ceremonies are different. and; the outward rites different; let him be anathema.
Canon iii. If any one shall say, that these seven sacra-
