171,172.
It may be well supposed that this would be regarded as a crime of almost inconceivable magnitude.

It was death even to refuse to kneel in the streets when the wafer was carried by.

Thus, for example, a poor huckster, named Simon, at Bergen-op-Zoom, who neglected to prostrate himself before his booth at the passage of the host, was immediately burned.

Instances of the same punishment for that offence might be multiplied.

In this particular case, it is recorded that the sheriff who was present at the execution was so much affected by the courage and fervor of the simple-minded victim, that he went home, took to his bed, became delirious, crying constantly, Ah, Simon! Simon! and died miserably, "notwithstanding all that the monks could do to console him."] The amazement and horror were so universal at such an appalling offence, that not a finger was raised to arrest the criminal.