But becaus this accursit Papistrie hath brocht in suche confusioun in the warld, that neather was virtu richtlie praysit, neathir vice seveirlie punisched; the Churche of God is compelled to draw the swearde whiche of God scho have receaved, aganis suche oppin and manifest offendaris,[507] cursing and excommunicating all suche, alsweall those whome the civill swearde aucht to punische as the uthiris, frome all participatioun with hir in prayeris and sacramentis, till oppin repentence manifestlie appeare in thame. As the ordour of Excommunicatioun and proceiding to the same aucht to be grave and slow, so being onis pronunced aganist any persoun, off what estait and conditioun that ever thay be, it must be keipit with all severitie. For lawis maid and nocht keipit engendereth contempt of virtu, and bringis in confusioun and libertie to syn: And thairfore this ordour we think expedient to be observit before and efter excommunicatioun. [507] In edit. 1621, "contemners." First, yf the offence be secreit and knawin to few,[508] and rathir standis in suspitioun than in manifest probatioun, the offender aucht to be privatlie admonischeit to abstene frome all appearance of evill; whiche yf he promissis to do, and to declair him self sober, honest, and one that feareth God, and feareth to offend his brethren, than may the secreit admonitioun suffice for his correctioun. But gif he athir contempn the admonitioun, or efter promis maid, do schaw him self no more circumspect than he was before, than must the Minister admonische him; to whome yf he be fund inobedient, thei must proceid according to the reule of Christ, as efter sall be declairit. [508] In edit. 1621, "or known to few men."