5/23/07
The website http://truecovenanter.com/reformedpresbyterian/reformed_presbytery_testimony_against_immoralities.html#rp_testimony_against_immorality_note_01 has this insightful information regarding promiscuous dancing:
The
Westminster Assembly in their Larger Catechism Quest. 139. The Reformed Church
of Scotland, in their Act 19 July 1649. Session 18. Messrs. Perkins, Durham,
Watson, Boston, Willison, R. Erskine, J. Brown, with many others, have all
given their testimony against promiscuous dancing. Instead of quoting
their sentiments on this subject at large, the following abstract of their
arguments is here given.
1.
Promiscuous dancing has a tendency to promote too much familiarity between the
sexes, and to lead them into the way of temptation.—2. It is the favourite
amusement of light and vain persons, who are lovers of pleasure more than
lovers of God.—3. It exposes to such company, as has a tendency to corrupt the
morals and deprave the heart.—4. It tends to the gratification of these corrupt
inclinations and passions, which we are commanded to crucify and mortify.—5. It
is one species of revelling, which is ranked among the damning works of the
flesh, 1 Pet. 4.3.—6. It is an open violation of our baptismal vows, as it is
an evident serving, instead of renouncing, of sin, Satan, and our
own lusts.—7. It is a great waste of precious time, and commonly at very
unseasonable hours.—8. It is offensive to the serious and godly, who have their
senses exercised to discern between good and evil.—9. It is never done with a
design to glorify God, as all a Christian's actions ought to be.—10. The
sinfulness of it is greatly aggravated, when committed by persons trained up,
and instructed in the criminality of such practices, and their becoming the
defenders of it, against light and knowledge.—11. It unfits the mind for the
serious exercises of religion, and is ready to make us neglect the duties of
the closet, or family.—12. It puts us into a frame very unsuitable to meet with
death. Numbers have been summoned before God immediately after a dancing ball,
and it is to be hoped no Christian will think it a proper preparation for an
eternal state.
The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland rightly prohibits such of her communicant members.