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THAT Dancing was used among the Jews, is evident from the example of David, who us'd it in the Divine Worship, being girded with a Linen Ephod, and dancing before the Ark. 2 Sam. 6.14.
Christians must not go to Weddings, and (ba∣lare vel saltare) bleat or dance, but sup or dine chastly as becomes Christians, Conc. Laod. c. 52. habit. A. C. 364.
The Universal Council of Constantinople, &c. forbid Dancing, especially at Weddings. Alsted.
Concilia Choreas damnant, ut Basiliense, C••rtha∣ginense, quartum; Agathense, &c. & Docreta pro∣hibent: lege institutum Zachariae, caus. 26. q. 7. can. Siquis, &c. De Conciliis, lege distinct. 34. can. Pres∣byteri, & de consecratione, dist. 1. can. Qui die. & do Cons. dist. 5. can. Non Oportet. Steph. Tzeged. Loc. commun. p. 438. who quotes also S. Augustine, contra Petilianum, c. 6. & in Psal. 32. and S. Chry∣stom. Hom. 56. sup. Genes. and in Matth. 14. &c. Marlorat (in Matth. c. 14.) Calvin (in Matth. 14.) &c.
In another Table Tzegedine cites against Dan∣cing the Councils of Laodic. Agath. Ilerdian, Alti∣siodore. Besides Canons (de quibus caus. 26. q. 7. can. Siquis. Also lib. 3. Decr. Gregorii. can. Cum decorem, &c. & Libr. 3. Clementinarum. Tit. 14. c. 1.) as also Philosophers, Plato in Protagor. l. 17. Cicero pro Murenâ, Aemilii Probi in vit. Epaminon∣dae; and in another Table, Pet. Martyr. Erasmus, Pellican, Calvin, Aristotle, Seneca, Macrobius, Sallustius, Plautus, Pollux, &c. Pope Clement the 5. Innocent the 3. &c.
The ancient Vaudois made mixt Dancing to be a Breach of all the Ten Commandments.
Cardinal Bellarmine inveighs very bitterly against it, and cites the Authorities both of Greek and Latin Fathers as on his side. Conc. 6.3.19, 20, 21.
Angel. de Clavasio is full upon the point. Quem vide, p. 55. where here he makes common-Dan∣cing to be a mortal Sin.
The Titular Bishop of Geneva (S. Fr. Sales) is very biting, but at last concludes, that they are
like Mushrooms, the best are bad and dangerous, (at least) nothing worth. Sale's Introd.
Dr. Tully speaking of pulick Dances and Stage-Plays, adviseth every Christian to forbear them, till such time as they are purged by some happy hand from their Faults and Corruptions. Enchir. c. 18.
Before I came into Hungary I abserved no Sha∣dow or Shew of the Old Pyrrhical Saltation (or Warlike way of Dancing) which the Heydukes pra∣ctise in this Country: They dance with naked Swords in their Hands, advancing, brandishing and clashing the same, turning, winding and ele∣vating, and depressing their Bodies with strong and active motions, singing withal unto their measures, after the manner of the Greeks. Dr. Brown's Trav. p. 10.
That the Mahometans use Dancing, even in their Religious Worship, is observed in this Book afterwards, under the Title of Saints.
The same is observed of them likewise in the former part of this Book; so likewise of the Mo∣dern Heathens.
Sometimes they had Dances in their Churches and Chapels of the Martyrs. Theodor. l. 3. c. 22.
Cardinal Borromeus saith, when he was a young Man at the University, he and his Companions prevailed with one of their Professors, a grave and prudent young Man, to go with them to a Ball; who having observed,—&c, told them, It was an invention of the Devil to destroy Souls. Author of the Educ. of young Gentlemen.
Nothing doth more dissipate the Spirits than the ravishing harmony, dancing and charms of Ladies. M. de Rhodez.
Dancing and Cards are conniv'd at in Strangers, not permitted to the Citizens of Geneva them∣selves. Anonym.
The Abissines in their Festival Solemnities use Musick and Dancing, and some of the Latin Church celebrate Corpus Christi-day with a Harp and Dancing. See concerning the Feasts of the Greek Church in the former part of this Book.
'Tis common with the Idolaters of several Na∣tions to celebrate their Festivals with Dances, &c. as with the Mexicans.