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

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.

Thirdly, this duty is so incumbent on every member of the Church, that in case of the neglect thereof, he both sinneth against the institution of Christ, and makes himself partaker of the sin of the party offending, and is also guilty of his danger, and ruin thereby, with all that disadvantage which will accrue to the Church, by any of the members of it continuing in sin against the rule of the Gospel. They have not only liberty thus to admonish one another, but it is their express and indispensable duty so to do. The neglect whereof is interpreted by God to be hatred of our Brother; such as wherewith the love of God is inconsistent, Levit 19.17.