The Decrees and Canons of the Council of Trent are documents as valuable in a legal and historical, as in a religious point of view. Amid much that is purely Papal in its character, amid many avowed professions of unscriptuiral superstition, there is still much that is common to Reformed Churches, much that proves that "if there was a good deal of policy in the decisions of the Council of Trent, there was no want also of conscientious sincerity."^[1] To know what Roman Catholicism really is, according to its own best accredited testimony, we must turn to the pages of this council; to try Rome fairly, we must hear her plead her own cause.

Recent circumstances, doubtless fresh in the minds of my readers, render the publication of these documents in an English form highly expedient. While one class of persons have sought to explain away essential differences, and to invalidate the common belief regarding the errors of Rome, too many have likewise degenerated into the opposite extreme—have mistaken unqualified abuse of Rome for orthodox Christianity. It is in the humble hope that a spirit of fair and temperate inquiry, a desire to separate the tares from the wheat, may be aroused in the professors of Protestantism, as well as that the firmness of their rational resistance to ​Rome may be increased, that the present volume has been put forth.

Soon after its commencement, I learnt that Dr. Waterworth had anticipated me in my design; but, on obtaining his edition, I found that its price was a decided hindrance to its fitness for extensive circulation. Furthermore, the scriptural references were made with extreme inaccuracy, the oration delivered at the conclusion of the council was omitted, and the important appendix of additional statutes, embracing the condemnations of the early Reformers—passages most interesting to Protestants—is also wanting in his edition. These selections, which form about one-third of the present volume, appear in English for the first time, and, besides their great historical value, form an excellent commentary on the decrees and canons themselves. The treatises now published, together with the Catechism of the Council of Trent, which will shortly appear in a similar form, will furnish a complete history of Roman Catholic doctrine.

But, far be it from me to detract from the learning and industry of Dr. Waterworth. On the contrary, I willingly confess myself indebted to his translation for many important hints and suggestions. My own aim, however, has been to produce a more rigidly literal version, even to the sacrifice of style. The concise and technical dryness of such documents is greatly against the translator; but the self-denial of a conscientious accuracy is his first duty, most of all in matters where religion is concerned.

The few notes appended to the translation are chiefly glossarial; for the pressure of other literary engagements prevented the possibility of adding such a commentary as I trust to publish, should the success of this volume call for a second edition. I must not omit to do justice to the industrious and attentive co-operation, throughout a ​considerable portion of the work, of Dr. Spillan, of Trinity College, Dublin, the able translator of the first decade of Livy.

To the Rev. Charles Marriott, Fellow of Oriel, and Rector of St. Mary's Church, Oxford, my warmest thanks are also due for his kind and judicious suggestions throughout the translation of the supplementary documents.

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