HERESY

In English law. An offense against religion, consisting not in a total denial of Christianity, but of some of its e ential doctrines, publicly· and obstinately avowed. 4 BI. Comm. 44, 45. An opinion on divine subjects devised by human,reason, openly taught, and obstinately maintained. 1 Hale, P. C. 384. This offense is now subject only to ecclesiastical correction, and is no longer punishable by the secular law. 4 Steph. Comm. 233. · [s. 575]