Page:History of all religions.pdf/24

24 Fox Says, that he cannot find that ever it did paſs the Commons; but ſuppoſed, that as parliamentary affairs were then managed with little regularity, it was huddled in among other acts, and ſigned by the King without further notice. It is indeed by no means improbable, that this act might be paſsed without the conſent of the Commons, for in this reign we find the lower House of Parliament petitioning that no act or ſtatute might paſs without their conſent. However, it was now enacted, that upon a certificate of the dioceſian Biſhop, or his commiſſaries, delivering thoſe who either refused to abjure their hereſy. or relapſed, after abjuration, over to the ſecular arm, the civil magistrate ſhould receive their bodies, and cauſe them to be burned in public. William Sautre, a Lollard, and rector of St Oſith's in London, was the firſt man who was put to death by this ſtatute. Sentence was pronounced againſt him in the eccleſiaſtical court, immediately after the act was paſſed, ſo eager were they proceed to the extirpation of hereſy.

FINIS.

J. Neilson, printer.