In English law. An offense against religion, consisting not in a total denial of Christianity, but of some of its essential doctrines, publicly and obstinately avowed. 4 Bl. Comm. 44, 45. An opinion on divine subjects devised by human reason, openly taught and obstinately maintained. 1 Hale, P. C. 384. This offense is now subject only to ecclesiastical correction, and is no longer punishable by the secular law. 4 Steph. Comm. 233.