A Body of Practical Divinity

(7.) Beware of going to Plays. A Play-house is oft a Preface to a Whore-house. Ludi praebent semina nequitiae. We are forbid to avoid all appearance of Evil: Are not Plays the appearance of Evil? Such Sights are there as are not fit to be beheld with chaste Eyes. Both Fathers and Councils have shown their Dislike of going to Plays. A Learned Divine observes, That many have on their Death-beds confessed with Tears, that the Pollution of their Bodies hath been occasioned by going to Plays.

(8.) Take heed of mixed Dancing. Instrumenta luxuriae tripudia. From Dancing People come to Dalliance one with another, and from Dalliance to Uncleanness. There is, saith Calvin, for the most part some unchaste Behaviour in Dancing. Dances draw the Heart to Folly by wanton Gestures, by Unchaste Touches, by Lustful Looks. St. Chrysostom did inveigh against mixed Dancing in his Time. We read, saith he, of a Marriage-Feast, and of Virgins going before with Lamps, Matth. 25.7. but of Dancing there, we read not. Many have been ensnared by Dancing; as the Duke of Normandy, and others. Saltatio ad adulteras non ad pudicas pertinet. Ambros. Chrysostom saith, Where Dancing is, there the Devil is: I speak chiefly of mixed Dancing. And whereas we read of Dances in Scripture, Exod. 15. those were sober and modest. They were not mixed Dances, but Pious and Religious, being usually accompanied with singing Praises to God.

(8.) Take heed of mix'd Dancing. Instrumenta luxuriae tripudia. From Dancing People come to Dalliance one with another, and from Dalliance to Uncleanness. There is, saith Calvin, for the most part some unchaste Behaviour in Dancing. Dances draw the Heart to Folly by wanton Gestures, by Unchaste Touches, by Lustful Looks. St. Chrysostom did inveigh against mix'd Dancing in his Time. We read, saith he, of a Marriage-Feast, and of Virgins going before with Lamps,