ABSTRACT
A learned Antiquarian of my Acquaintance, does not carry the Original of this Custom so high: He derives it only from the roasting of Heretics, in use among the Roman Church, and fancies it an unextirpated Remain of that barbarous Execution. He brings, as a Strengthener of this his Opinion, the Choice which we make of an odd Creature, or, in his own Words, a Heretic to the common Forms of Behaviour to perform it on. He is a great Enemy to this Practice, being, as he thinks, more consistent with the Principles of Jesuitism, than true Christianity.
