Brief Instruction in the Worship of God

Question 45 — Wherein doth the liberty and duty of the whole brotherhood in the exercise of discipline in the church in particular consist?

Answer — ^aIn a meek consideration of the condition and temptations of offenders, with the nature of their offences, when orderly proposed unto the church; ^bin judging with the elders, according to rule, what, in all cases of offence, is necessary to be done for the good of the offenders themselves, and for the edification and vindication of the whole church, ^cin their consent unto, and concurrence in, the admonition, ejection, pardoning, and restoring of offenders, as the 517matter shall require.
^aGal. vi. 1, 2;
^b1 Cor. v. 2, 4, 5, 12, vi. 2;
^c2 Cor. ii. 6–8.