RECUSANTS

1 definition found

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  RECUSANTS, or POPISH RECUSANTS, Eng. law. Persons who refuse to make the 
  declarations against popery, and such as promote, encourage, or profess the 
  popish religion. 
       2. These are by law liable to restraints, forfeitures and 
  inconveniences, which are imposed upon them by various acts of parliament. 
  Happily in this country no religious sect has the ascendency, and all 


  persons are free to profess what religion they conscientiously believe to be 
  the right one.