Recusants

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.