The law of the early Church enjoined a heavy penalty upon those guilty of perjury. By can. 73 of the Council of Eliberis, "He that bears false witness against another, to the loss of his life or liberty, is not to be received to communion even at his last hour." In a lighter case, he was to do penance for five years, before he was reconciled and perfectly restored to the peace of the Church. Bingham, Christ. Antig. bk. xvi, c. xii, 15. (See DETRACTION); (See SLANDER).