TRENT, Council of, in Ecclesiastical History, denotes the council assembled by Paul III. in 1545, and continued by 25 sessions till the year 1563, under Julius III. and Pius IV. in order to correct, illustrate, and fix with perspicuity, the doctrine of the church, to restore the vigour of its discipline, and to reform the lives of its ministers. The decrees of this council, together with the creed of Pope Pius IV. contain a summary of the doctrines of the Roman Catholics. These decrees were subscribed by 255 clergy, consisting of four legates, 2 other cardinals, 3 patriarchs, 25 archbishops, 168 bishops, besides inferior clergy. Of these 150 came from Italy, of course the council was entirely under the influence of the pope. For a more particular account of the council of Trent, see Mosheim's Church History, the Modern Universal History, vol. xxiii. and Father Paul's History of the Council of Trent.