The ordovre of excommvnicatiovn and of pvblict repentance vsed in the Church of Scotland, and commanded to be prented by the generall Assemblie of the same, in the moneth of Iunij. 1569.

THE PRAYER FINISHED the Minister shall turne him to the pen••∣tent brother, and in full audience shal say.

YE haue hard brother what is your dewti•• towardes the Church which ye haue offen∣ded, to wit, that willinglie ye cōfesse that cryme that ye haue committed, asking God mercy for the same, and so that ye may reconseill your sel•• to the Church, which ye haue offended. Y•• haue hard also the affectiō & care of the Church towardes yow there penitent brother notwith∣standing your greuous fall, to wit, that we all heir presentioyne our sinnes with your sinne, we all repute and esteame your fall to be our owen: we accuse our selfes no les then we accuse yow: now finallie we ioyne our prayeres with youris, that we and ye may obtene mercy, and that by the meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ. Let vs therefore brother haue this conforte of yow, that ye will oppenlie and semplie confesse your cryme, and giue to vs attestation of your vnfeaned repentance.

The penitent shall then oppenlie confesse the cryme whatsoeuer it be, and shall desyre Gods mercy, and pray the Church to call to God for mercy with him, and vnfeanedly desyre that he may be ioyned againe to their societic & nūber.

IF the penitent be confounded with shame, or suche one as can not distinctlie speik to the confort and instruction of the Church, the Mi∣nister shall mak repetition, that euerie head may be vnderstand by the self, and thereafter shall ask the penitent if that be his confession, & if so he beleueth. His answer affirmatiue being resa∣ned, the Minister shall ask the Congregation if they ludge any forther to be requyred for their satisfactioun, and reconsiliation of that brother. No cōtradictioun being made, the Minister shal say to the penitent.

We haue hard deare brother your confessiō, for the which we from our hartis praise God, for in it the Spirite of Iesus Christ hath confoū∣ded the Deuill, and broken doun his head and power in that, that ye to the glorie of God haue oppenly dampned your self and your impietie, imploring grace and mercy for Christ Iesus his Sones sake. This strenth, submission and obedi∣ence can not proceid from fleshe and blude, bot is the singular gift of the holy Ghost. Acknow∣ledge therefore it to be geuin vnto yow by Ie∣sus Christ our Lord, and now tak head least at any tyme ye be vnmyndefull of this great beni∣fite, which no doubt Sathan doeth inuy, & will assaile by all meanes possible that yow may a∣buse

it: he will not cease to tempt yow to fall a∣gaine in suche or crymes more horrible. Bot re∣sist the Deuill and he shall flee from yow. Liu•• in sobrietie, be instant in prayer, commend you•• self vnfeanedlie to God, who as he is faithfull, s•• shall he giue to vs victorie ouer sinne, death, & Sathan, and that by the meanes of our head and Souerane campioun Iesus Christ, to whome be all praise glorie and honour now & euer. Amen.