The doctrine and discipline of the Kirke of Scotland as it was formerly set forth by publicke authority and at this present commanded there to be practised in the said kirke, anno 1641 : together vvith some acts of generall assemblies clearing and confirming the same : as also an act of Parliament by the King and three estates of Scotland for rectifying of the said discipline : the first and second booke.

The order for publick Offenders.

WEe have spoken nothing of them that commit horrible crimes, as murtherers, manslayers, adulterers; for such, as we have said, the civill sword ought to punish to dead: But in case they be permitted to live, then must the Kirk, as is before said, draw the sword which of God shee hath received, holding them as accursed even in their very fact. The offender be∣ing first called, and order of the Kirk used against him in the same manner, as the persons for their obstinate impenitency are publick∣ly excommunicate. So that the obstinate impenitent after the sen∣tence of excommunication, and the murtherer or adulterer stand in one case, as concerning the judgement of the Kirk. That is nei∣ther of both may be received in the fellowship of the Kirk to pray∣ers or Sacraments (but to hearing the word they may) til first they offer themselves to the Ministerie, humbly requiring the Ministers and Elders to pray to God for them, and also to be intercessors to the Kirk that they may be admitted to publick repentance, & to the fruition of the benefits of Christ Jesus, distributed to the mem∣bers of his body. If this request be humbly made, then may not the Ministers refuse to signifie the same unto the Kirk, the next day of publick preaching, the Minister giving exhortation to the Kirk, to pray to God to performe the worke which he appeares to

have begun, working in the heart of the offender, unfained re∣pentance of his grievous crime & offence, and feeling of his great mercy by the operation of the holy Spirit. Therafter one day ought publickly to be assigned unto him to give open profession of his offence & contēpt, & so to make publick satisfaction to the Kirk of God: which day the offender must appear in presence of the whole Kirk, with his owne mouth damning his owne impiety, publickly confessing the same: desiring God of his mercy & grace, & his Con∣gregation, that it would please them to receive him in their socie∣ty, as before is said. The Minist must examin him diligently whe∣ther he findes a hatred or displeasure of his sinne, as well of his contempt, as of his crime: which if he confesse, he must travell with him, to see what hope he hath of Gods mercies; and if he find him reasonably instructed in the knowledge of Christ Jesus, in the vertue of his death, then may the Minister comfort him with Gods infallible promises, and demand of the Kirk if they be content to receive that creature of God whom Satan before had drawne in his nets, in the societie of their body, seeing that hee declared himselfe pentient. Which if the Kirk grant, as they cannot justly deny the same, then ought the Minister in publick prayer com∣mend him to God, confesse the sinne of that offender before the whole Kirk, desiring mercy and grace for Christ Jesus sake. Which prayer being ended, the Minister ought to exhort the Kirk to re∣ceive that penitent brother in their favours, as they require God to receive themselves when they offend. And in signe of their consent, the Elders, and chiefe men of the Kirk, shall take the pe∣nitent by the hand, and one or two in the name of the rest shall kisse and imbrace him with reverence and gravity, as a member of Christ Jesus. Which being done, the Minister shall exhort the received that he take diligent heed in times comming that Sathan trap him not in such crimes, admonishing him that he will not cease to tempt and try by all meanes possible to bring him from that obedience which he hath given to God, and to the ordinance of Jesus Christ. The exhortation being ended, the Minister ought to give publik thankes unto God for the conversion of their bro∣ther, and for all benefits which we receive of Christ Jesus, pray∣ing for the increase and continuance of the same. If the penitent after he hath offered himselfe unto the Ministrie, or to the Kirk, be found ignorant of the principall points of our Religion, and chiefly in the Articles of Justification, and of the office of Christ

Jesus, then ought he to be exactly instructed before he be received: For a mocking of God it is to receive them to repentance, who know not wherein standeth their remedy, when they repent their sinne.