A brief instruction in the worship of God, and discipline of the churches of…

Secondly, this love is to exert and put forth it self in tender care and watchfulness for the good of each other; ⟨p. 193⟩which are to work by mutual exhortations, informations, instructions, according as opportunities do offer themselves▪ or as the necessities of any do seem to require. Heb. 3.13. Chap. 10.24.

Secondly, this duty of admonishing offenders privately and personally, is common to the Elders with all the members of the Church; neither doth it belong properly unto the Elders as such but as Brethren of the same society. And yet by virtue of their office the Elders are enabled to do it with more Authority morally, though office power properly be not exercised therein. By virtue also of their constant general watch over the whole flock in the discharge of their office, they are enabled to take notice of, and discern miscarriages in any of the members, sooner than others. But as to the exercise of the discipline of the Church in this matter, this duty is equally incumbent on every member of it, according as the obligation on them to watch over one another, and to exercise especial love towards each other is equal: Whence it is distinguished from that private pastoral admonition, which is an act of the teaching ⟨p. 194⟩office and power, not directly belonging unto the rule or government enquired after. But this admonition is an effect of love and where it proceedeth not from thence, it is irregular, Matth. 18.16, 17, 18. Rom. 15.14.