Conformity of the ecclesiastical discipline of the Reformed churches of France with that of the primitive Christians written by M. La Rocque ... ; render'd into English by Jos. Walker.

CONFORMITY.

* 1.1The Synod of Laodicea about the middle of the 4th. Century made a Cannon against Dances, contain'd in these Words; Christians which go to Weddings, must not Dance, but let them Dine or Sup civilly, as becomes Christians.

In the third Volume of the Councils, a like Decree is attributed to the Council of Lerrida in the year 524. Though its nothing but the same of that of Laodicea a little vary'd, but just now mention'd. Herrald Bishop of Tours in his Capitulary's of the year 858, * 1.2 in the third Volume of the Councils of France, forbids also Dances, not only at Weddings, * 1.3 but also on other occasions; the Frier Blastares has not in his Collection forgot the Can∣non of Laodicea, Chap. 7. of the Letter G. pag. 66. St. Eloy Bishop of Noyon in the 7th. Century inveigh'd much against Dancing, which he put in the number of Devilish

Divertisments, as is reported by St. Owen in the second Book of his life, chap. 15. Tom. 5. spiril. pag. 217.

In the year 589 the third Council of Toledo had ap∣pointed in the 23d. * 1.4 Cannon to exterminate this pro∣phane and Irreligious Custom from amongst the people, who instead of attending diligently on Gods service on Holy-days, spent the time in Dancing and singing filthy and impure Songs, and the Fathers enjoyn the Bishops and Judges with care to clear Spain from this extravi∣gance. And about the beginning of the V. Century a Council of Africa had ordain'd in the 27th Cannon, that the Emperors should be desir'd to prohibit Dances in the Streets on Days appointed for Celebrating the Me∣mory of Martyrs; * 1.5 In the 6th. Book of the Capitularies of our Kings of the second Race, Dances and Lascivious Songs were absolutely forbidden, and it is therein de∣clared that they which shall disobey this Ordinance shall suffer the punishment contain'd in the Cannon, alledging for a Reason that they are the remainders of Paganism.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Can. 53.
• * 1.2

  Pag. 818.
• * 1.3

  Cap. 112, 114. pag. 115.
• * 1.4

  Tom. 4. conc. pag. 507.
• * 1.5

  Tom. 1. conc. pag. 915.