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is for edification, and not for destruction. in the preaching of the word, the wicked are, doctrinally, feparated from the good; fo, by difcipline, the church authoritatively makes a diftinction between the holy and the profane. In this the acts the part of a tender mother, correcting her children only for their good, that every one of them may be presented faultless, in the day of the Lord Jefus.

Se&t. II. When any member of the church. fhall have been guilty of a fault, deferving cenfure, the judicatory fhall proceed with all tender nefs, and restore their offending brother in the fpirit of meeknefs; confidering themselves, left they alfo be tempted. Cenfure ought to be inflicted with great folemnity; that it may be the means of impreffing the mind of the delinquent with a proper fenfe of his danger, while he ftands excluded from the privileges of the church of the living God; and that, with the divine bleffing, it may lead him to repentance.

Sect. III. When the judicatory has resolv ed to pass sentence, suspending a member from church-privileges, the moderator shall addrefs him, to the following purpose:

'Whereas you are guilty [by your own con'feflion, or convicted by fufficient proof as the 'cafe may be,] of the fin of [here mention the 'particular offence] we declare you fufpended

from the facraments of the church; till you give 'fatisfactory evidence of the fincerity of your re'pentance.'-To this fhall be added fuch advice, admonition, or rebuke as may be judged neceffary; and the whole thall be concluded by prayer to almighty God, that he would follow this act of difcipline with his blefling. We judge it prudent, in general, that fuch cenfures be inflicted in the prefence of the judicatory only; but, if any church think it expedient to rebuke the offender publicly, this folemn fufpenfion from the facraments may be in the prefence of the congrega

tion.

Sect. IV. After any perfon hath been thus fufpended from the facraments, it is proper that the minifter and elders and other Christians fhould frequently converfe with him, as well as pray for him in private, that it would please God to give him repentance. And it may be requifite Jikewife, particularly on days preparatory to the difpenfing of the Lord's fupper, that the prayers of the church be offered up for those unhappy perfons who, by their wickednefs, have fhut themfelves out from this holy communion.

Sect. V. When the judicatory shall be fatisfied, as to the reality of the repentance of any offender, he thall be admitted to profefs his repentance; and be restored to the privileges of the church. Which restoration fhall be declared to

the penitent in the prefence of the feffion, or of the congregation, and followed with prayer and thanksgiving.

Sect. VI. When any offender has been, with the advice of the presbytery, (as directed in the form of government, &c.) adjudged to be cut off 'from the communion of the church, it is proper that the fentence be publicly pronounced against him.

Sect. VII. The defign of excommunication is, to operate upon the offender as a mean of re`claiming him; to deliver the church from the fcandal of his offence; and to infpire all with fear, by the example of his punishment.

The minifter fhall, at leaft, two Lord's days before the excommunication, give the congregation a fhort narrative of the feveral fleps which have been taken with refpect to their offending brother; and inform them, that it has been found neceffary to cut him off from their communion.

On the day appointed for that purpose, the minifter, after fermon is ended, fhall in the prefence of the congregation, pronounce this fentence in the following or like form:

He fhall begin by fhewing the authority of the church to cast out unworthy members, from Mat. xviii. 15, 16, 17, 18; 1 Cor. v. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 i and fhall briefly explain the nature, use, and confequences of this cenfure; warning the people

to avoid all unneceffary intercourfe with him who

is caft out.

Then he shall say,

Whereas A. B. hath been, by fufficient proof, convicted of [here infert the in,] and after much admonition and prayer, obftinately refufeth to hear the church, and hath manifested no evidence of repentance; therefore, in the name, and by the authority of the Lord Jeíus Chrift, I pronounce him to be excluded from the communion of the church.'

After which prayer fhall be made that the bleling of God may follow his ordinance for the conviction and reformation of the excommuniated perfon, and for the establishment of all true believers.

Sect. VIII. When one who hath been ex..Communicated fhall be fo affected with his ftate as to be brought to repentance, and to defire to be re-admitted to the privileges of the church'; the feffion, having obtained fuificient evidence of his fincere penitence, fhall, with the advice and concurrence of the prefbytery, restore him. order to which, the minifter fhall, on two Lord's days previous thereto, inform the congregation of the measures which have been taken with the excommunicated person, and of the resolution of the feflion to receive him again to the communion of the Church.

On the day appointed for his restoration, when the other parts of divine fervice are ended, be

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fore pronouncing the bleffing, the minifter fhall call upon the excommunicated perfon, and propose to him in the prefence of the congregation, the following questions:

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'Do you, from a deep sense of your great wickedness, freely confess your fin, in thus rebelling against God, and in refufing to hear his church; and do you acknowledge that you have 'been in justice and mercy cut off from the 'communion of the faints? Answer, I do. Do 'you now voluntarily profefs your fincere repentance and deep contrition, for your fin and 'obstinacy; and do you humbly ask the forgivenefs of God and of his church? Answer, I do. Do you fincerely promife, through divine grace, to live in all humbleness of mind and circumfpection; and to endeavour to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, by having your converfation as becometh the gofpel? Anfwer,

"I do.'

Here the minifter fhall give the penitent a fuitable exhortation, addrefling him in the bowels of brotherly love, encouraging and comforting him. Then he shall pronounce the fentence of restoration, in the following words:

• Whereas you, A. B. have been fhut out from 'the communion of the faithful, but have now • manifested such repentance as fatisfies the church: In the name of the Lord Jefus Chrift, and by his authority, I declare you abfolved from the fentence of excommunication formerly de

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