An humble apology for non-conformists with modest and serious reflections on the Friendly debate…

Answ. Dr. Heylin in his Geography observes that the Protestant Ministers in France are so strait-laced as not to allow of mixed dancing. The Nonconformists here are not all of this Judgement; they did not, do not use to enquire before persons approach unto the Lord's Table, whether or no, where, when, or how often they have danced? whether they go to see Comedies, &c. I my self have been asked whether Dancing was lawful? I answered, Dancing was lawful; but whether mixed dancing was, they could tell better than I: If it was to them a motive or incitement to evil, to them it was unlawful, else I dare not condemn it as sinful; I will not make more sins than the holy Scripture, and the Light of Nature has discovered to be so.

Answ. Dr. Heylin in his Geography observes that the Protestant Ministers in France are so strait-laced as not to allow of mixt dancing. The Nonconformists here are not all of this Judgement; they did not, do not use to enquire before persons approach unto the Lord's Table, whether or no, where, when, or how often they have danced? whether they go to see Comaedies, &c. I my self have been asked whether Dancing was lawful? I answered, Dancing was lawful; but whether mixt dancing was, they could tell better than I: If it was to them a motive or incitement to evil, to them it was unlawful, else I dare not condemn it as sinful; I will not make more sins than the holy Scripture, and the Light of Nature has discovered to be so.

As for Stage-Plays, if they were reformed and regulated, so as to have no cursing or swearing, nothing of lasciviousness and wantonness, nothing of impiety or profaneness, no putting on of Apparel not belonging to be sex by the Actors, I should look on them as one of the best Recreations; only I would not have seeing of Plays be made a mans work or business, and that which should be but a divertisment be a man's whole employment: But as they are frequently made and acted (if we may believe reports) the must have stronger Champions than I to throw down the Gantlet, or take it up in their defence. ⟨p. 98⟩'Tis well known the Ancient Fathers of the Church, and some reverend and learned men, Sons of the Church of England, have condemned them. Dr. Reynolds, Doctor of the Chair at Oxford, (and we are told a Conformist too) wrote against them; Dr. Andrew Rivet (Professor of Divinity, and Tutor to the Prince of Orange, and one that remembered the condition of our Sovereign, when in Exile, in his last hours and Prayers) is no friend to them; And Dr.Fern, afterward Bishop of Chester, offered to join with some Presbyterian Ministers, in declaring for the sanctification of the Lord's day, and against Stage-plays in the late times. Yet as for those that go to see them, I do not, I dare nor therefore judge them no Christians, or no good Christians, because sometimes they are seen in the Theatre, though oftener in the Church: I must confess that that inference [I may see a Picture, therefore a Play] is but weak and dark, and but the shadow of an Argument: For those who condemn such Representations on the Stage, do the like in a Picture; that is, they damn lascivious & wanton Pictures, Books, & Songs as well as Plays. Again, the seeing of a Picture good or bad, hath not (I conceive) such a powerful influence on us, as the acting or personating on the Stage hath; We are not usually so affected by reading of a Book as by heating a Speech; the voice and action speak louder, and are oftener