ea euen in the company of notable personages) of name and authority,
make no conscience to demaunde and aske whether it be yll done to
daunce, demaunding also a formall or playne parcell and text of
Scripture, by which it may appeare that daunses be prohibited and
forbidden, otherwise they think not that they do euill in
daunsing. Some others goe further and alledging or rather indeede
abusing some peece of the Scripture, where it appeareth that the
faithfull haue leaped and daunsed: they thinke verily that they haue
founde the beane in the cake, as though this were a proper couerture &
cloke to couer the infection and filthines of their daunces.

Seyng then that many be foulie & grosely deceaued in this behalfe, and
that possible for want of beyng sufficiently instructed and informed
or taught touching this matter, I haue bene so much the more willing
to ease them in this question, by how much I hope to profit in common,
that is, to do good to the greatest multitude, as also being willing
hereby to satisfy some which haue earnestly and instantly required it
at my handes.

Now to answeare them which demaund and aske a playne peece or text of
Scripture in which daunses should be forbidden, let them know that
there be many wicked and euill thinges which are not euidently and
playnly expressed in the Scripture, to be forbidden, notwithstanding
they bee of the same kynd and nature, or else dependences of some
thynges which are therein expressed, and under which they ought to be
comprehended, or els when the contrary of these things is praised and
commended, we are sufficiently taught and instructed to cast them
away, as things condemned by the holy Ghost, because ther is one & the
selfe same reason in contrary things.

I will place, & put in the order or rowe of the first, playes and
daunses: I meane such playes as by which man draweth or getteth to
hymselfe, his neighboures money. It is true that wee fynd not in the
Scripture these words. Thou shalt not play, but wee find indeede these
wordes. Thou shale not steale: Now that to gayne or get an other mans
money at play shoulde not be a most manifest & plaine thieuery: none
of sound iudgement will denie it. For hee which hath wonne or gotten
it, by what title or right can he say, that such money is his: Verily
when we get or win the money, or the goods of our brother, it must be
with the sweate of our face or browe, & that our laboure bringe him
some profite, that is to b