The Test - The Test Act of 1673 in England obligated all persons filling any office, civil or military, to take oaths of supremacy and allegiance to the King; to subscribe to a Declaration against transubstantiation; and to receive the sacrament within three months of taking office. In 1678 the Declaration was extended to read : "I,____, do solemnly and sincerely in the presence of God profess, testify, and declare, that I do believe that in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper there is not any Transubstantiation of the elements of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ at or after the consecration thereof by any person whatsoever and that the invocation or adoration of the Virgin Mary or any other Saint, and the Sacrifice of the Mass, as they are now used in the Church of Rome are superstitious and idolatrous." The Test Act applied to officials in the Colony of Virginia as well. A court record from King George County Order Book in 1723 provides an example similar to the 1673 original form: "I,___, do declare that I do believe that there is not any transubstantiation in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, or in the elements of the bread and wine at or after the consecration thereof by any person whatsovever." [1] 1. 4 JAN 1722/1723 Commonwealth of Virginia, King George County Order Book , 78. William Milam To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html