Toleration Act 1688

IX. Justice of Peace may tender the Oaths, &c.

First Refusal; Imprisonment, &c; Second Refusal; Taken to be a Popish Recusant Convict.

And bee it further enacted by the authoritie aforesaid That every Justice of the Peace may at any time hereafter require any person that goes to any Meeting for Exercise of Religion to make and subscribe the Declaration aforesaid and alsoe to take the said Oaths or Declaration of Fidelity herein after mentioned in case such person scruples the takeing of an Oath and upon refusall thereof such Justice of the Peace is hereby required to committ such person to Prison without Baile or Maineprize and to certifie the Name of such person to the next Generall or Quarter Sessions of the Peace to be held for that County City Towne Part or Division where such person then resides and if such person soe committed shall upon a second tender at the Generall or Quarter Sessions refuse to make and subscribe the Declaration aforesaid such persons refuseing shall be then and there recorded and he shall be taken thenceforth to all intents and purposes for a Popish Recusant Convict and suffer accordingly and incurr all the penalties and forfeitures of all the aforesaid Laws