“By simony, the right of presentation to a living is forfeited, and vested pro hac vice in the crown. Simony is the corrupt presentation of any one to an ecclesiastical benefice for money, gift, or reward. It is so called from the resemblance it is said to bear to the sin of Simon Magus, though the purchasing of holy orders seems to approach nearer to his offence. It was by the canon law a very grievous crime: and is so much the more odious, because, as sir Edward Coke observes, it is ever accompanied with perjury; for the presentee is sworn to have committed no simony.” 2 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 278 (1766).
“Simony is an offence which consists in the buying and selling of holy orders, and any bond or contract involving simony is illegal and void.” John Indermaur, Principles of the Common Law 195 (Edmund H. Bennett ed., 1st Am. ed. 1878).
