A brief treatise, concerning the use and abuse of dancing. Collected out of the…A briefe treatise, concerning the vse and abuse of dauncing. Collected oute of the…

But yet turn thee & thou shalt see greater abominations then these. Idleness, and Pride, two notable vices spring also herehence, as the masters of many, for the one, who see it by experience in their business: And for the other their gay gear above their degree & ability, their proud behaviour and words towards their betters, their rude manners towards their elders, well witness and declare. The children of Israels dancing was done to the golden Calf, and therefore Idolatry: ours though to term it Idolatry, would seem to some, not so strange as untrue, yet in diverse qualities dot hit agree therewith.

But yet turne thée & thou shalt sée greater abhominations then these. Idlenesse, and Pride, two notable vices spring also herehence, as the masters of many, for the one, who see it by experience in theyr businesse: And for the other theyr gaye geare aboue their degrée & habilitie, their prowde behauiour and wordes towards their betters, their rude maners towards their elders, well wytnesse and declare. The chyldren of Israelles dauncing was done to the golden Calfe, and therefore Idolatry: oures though to tearme it Idolatry, would séeme to some, not so straūge as vntrue, yet in diuerse qualities dot hit agrée therewith.

The Apostle calleth a covetous person an Idolater,¹ not because he causeth an Idol to be made and set up, that be might adore and worship the same: but because he serveth Mammon, and who so serveth Mammon, cannot serve God, and who so serveth his riches, when they should serve him, is an Idolater. In like sort, who so leaveth the service of God, to serve his dancing, & who so taketh more delight in the strength of his legs, agility, and ⟨image 7⟩nimbleness of his joints, then in the Gospel of Christ: let the Apostles sentence-judge what he is, and for my part, I say nothing, but that such abuse hath been amongst us. Notwithstanding, if a Christian once creak against these works of the flesh, and with as gentle words & mild means, as possible he may devise, seek to suppress them: When as the very Heathens reprehend it with sharp terms, accounting the users thereof wanton, unhonest, unchaste, unsober, mad, & worthy great reproach: And when the faithful fathers going somewhat rounder to work, call it devilish, with other like phrases, as appeareth in the Tract following: with cheese colours, when these men blaze these abuses: if now a days, I say, one do but cypher, he is sure straight ways to be assayed with the Pharisees weapons: either with over curious reasons of mans device, impertinent and wrested places of Scriptures, frivolous and fruitless questions: or if these prevail not, then with injurious and unjust slanders: first for the first sort, to touch only those, either unremembered, or as it is more likely not at all uttered in mine Authors days,