from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
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.