Recusants - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition recusants

Definition :

Recusants, persons who wilfully absented them-selves from their parish church, and on whom penalties were imposed by various statutes (e.g., 1 Eliz. c. 2, and 3 Jac. 1, c. 4; repealed by 9 & 10 Vict. c. 59) passed during the reigns of Elizabeth and James I. And see Canons 65, 66, by which Ministers are enjoined to denounce Recusants, and Ministers being Preachers to 'labour diligently with them from time to time thereby to reclaim them from their errors.'