A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

But withal, in what we have spoken in these excesses so incident even to professors, we would not have folks too rigidly ⟨p. 375⟩to expone us, for we know that there are lawful recreations, nor are honesty and comeliness in behaviour and apparel, blameable, but to be commended in their place: neither would we have any think, that we suppose all such, who do the things above censured, to be incited to them from this principle of lust; but for clearing of the matter further, it would be considered, 1. That we speak of these things as they are abused, and particularly condemned in this Church. 2. We would consider the end of the things themselves, as they have been at first sinfully introduced, whatever may be the innocent intention of a particular user. 3. We would respect others, who may be offended and provoked to lust, by what an actor is not provoked with, and also may be sinfully tempted to the like from that example; or if not so, yet may possibly be induced to judge them vain who walk so and so in apparel, light who dance, &c. which we would prevent and guard against. 4. We would not only abstain from evil, but from all appearance of it; now certainly all these things we have spoken of, look like ill, and may breed misconstructions in others, even possibly beyond our own mind and intention; we may also consider the mind of very Heathens in reference to these things, as also of Fathers, Councils, and the Divines which are cited by Rivet and Martyr on this Command. The Council Laod. Can. 53. apud Bals. hath these words, Let Christians, when they go to marriages, abstain from dancing, but dine or sup. And another saith, Nemo ferè saltat sobrius nisi forte insanit; no man almost danceth that is sober, unless perchance he be in a fit of distraction or madness: Neither doth Davids or Miriam's dancing, being used by them as a part of worship in the occasions of extraordinary exultations, say any thing for the dancing that is now in use, as their Songs of praise to God used in these their dancings abundantly show: And beside, their dancing • were not promiscuous, men with women, but men or women apart. Beside, if the seeing of vain objects provoke to lust, the circumstances and incitements of dancing must do it much more; and what men commonly say, Take away the promiscuousness of dancing, and it self will fall:

But withal, in what we have spoken in these excesses so incident even to professours, we would not have folks too rigidly