Charles II, 1677: An Act for takeing away the Writt De Heretico cumburendo.

Bee it enacted by the Kings most excellent Majestie by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and Commons in this present Parlyament assembled and by the authoritie of the same That the Writt commonly called Breve de Heretico comburendo with all Processe and Proceedings thereupon in order to the executeing such Writt or following or depending thereupon and all punishment by death in pursuance of any Ecclesiasticall Censures be from henceforth utterly taken away and abolished, Any Law Statute Canon Constitution Custome or Usage to the contrary heretofore or now in force in any wise notwithstanding.

II. Provso for Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

Provided always That nothing in this Act shall extend or be construed to take away or abridge the Jurisdiction of Protestant Arch-Bishops or Bishops or any other Judges of any Ecclesiasticall Courts in cases of Atheisme Blasphemy Heresie or Schisme and other damnable Doctrines and Opinions but that they may proceede to punish the same according to his Majestyes Ecclesiasticall Lawes by Excommunication Deprivation Degradation and other Ecclesiasticall Censures not extending to death in such sort and noe other as they might have done before the makeing of this Act Any thing in this Law contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.