Protestantism in Poland and Bohemia - James Aitken Wylie

were being laid for them in the writings of the
heretics On the principle that it would be less
troublesome to prevent the planting of these snares,
than after they were set to guide the unwary past
them, they prohibited the introduction of such
works into the country. The Synod of Lenczyca, in
1532, went a step farther, and in its zeal to preserve
the "sincere faith" in Poland, recommended the
banishment of "all heretics beyond the bounds of
Sarmatia."[9] The Synod of Piotrkow, in 1542,
published a decree prohibiting all students from
resorting to universities conducted by heretical
professors, and threatening with exclusion from all
offices and dignities all who, after the passing of
the edict, should repair to such universities, or who,
being already at such, did not instantly return.
This edict had no force in law, for besides not
being recognised by the Diet, the ecclesiastical
jurisdiction was carefully limited by the
constitutional liberties of Poland, and the nobles
still continued to send their sons to interdicted
universities, and in particular to Wittemberg.
Meanwhile the national legislation of Poland began
13