Gif the cryme be publict, and suche as is haynouse, as fornicatioun, drunkynnes, fechting, commoun sweiring, or execratioun, than aucht the offendar to be callit in the presence of the Minister, Elderis, and Deaconis, whair his syn and offence[509] aucht to be declared and aggredgeit, so that his conscience may feale how far he hath offended God, and what sklander he hath rasit in the Churche.[510] Yf signis of unfeinyeit repentence appeare into him, and gif he require to be admitted to publict repentence, the Ministerie may appoint unto him a day whan the hoill Churche convenith togidder, that in presence of all he may testifie the repentence whiche before thame he professed: Whiche yf he accept, and with reverence do, confessing his syn, and dampnyng the same,[511] and earnestlie desiring the Congregatioun to pray to God with him for mercy, and to accept him in thair societie, nochtwithstanding his formar offence: than the Churche may, and aught resave him as a penitent; for the Churche aught to be no more seveir than God declarith him self to be, who witnessith, that "In whatsoever hour ane synner unfeynedlie repenteth, and turnis from his wickit way, that he will nocht remember ane of his iniquiteis." And thairfore the Churche aught deligentlie to advert that it excommunicat not those whom God absolvith. [509] In edit. 1621, "and trespass." [510] In edit. 1621, "Kirk." [511] In edit. 1621, "and with reverence confesse his sinne, doing the same." Yf the offendar callit before the Ministerie be fund stuburne, hard-hertit, or one in whome no signe of repentence appeareth, than must he be demissed with ane exhortatioun to considder the dangerus estait in whiche he standis; assuring him, yf thei find into him no uthir tokin of amendment of lyfe, that thai will be compelled to seake a farther remedie. Yf he within ane certane space schaw his repentence to the Ministrie, thei must present him to the Churche as before is said. But gif he continew in his impenitence, than must the Churche be admonisched[512] that suche crymes are committed amangis thame, whiche by the Ministerie hath bene reprehendit, and the personis provocked to repent; whairof becaus no signis appeareth unto thame, thei could not but signifie unto the Churche the crymes, but not the persoun, requiring thame earnistlie to call to God to move and tuiche the heartis of the offenderis, so that suddanlie and earnistlie thei may repent. [512] In edit. 1621, "If he continue not in his repentance, then must the Kirk be advertised."