rve if there be any tattlers, backbiters, or
sowers of discord; or such as speak contemptibly of their brethren,
especially of their elders, (ruling or preaching,) and of their
administrations: as also, if there be any such as combine together, and
make parties in the church, or endeavor to obstruct any good work which
their elders are carrying on, for promoting the glory of Christ and the
good of his people, and deal with them accordingly. They ought carefully
to observe if any be fallen under sin or temptation in any case, and
presently to set their hands to help, to relieve, and to restore them,
Rev. vi. 1. They must watch, and endeavor to gain a sinning member, 1.
By their private admonition, in case the offence be private; and if that
will not do, to take one or two more to see what effect that will have.
2. But if that will not answer the end, then they are bound to bring it
to the church representative, that they may deal with the offending
brother, and proceed against him as commanded: This is another great and
indispensable duty required of church members, that they be not
partakers of other men's sins.

7. Church members ought to forbear and forgive one another; for this is
another commanded duty, Eph. iv. 2, 32; Col. iii. 13. When a brother
offends or does another any injury, the offended brother should tell him
of it, examine the matter and search out the circumstances of it, and
see whether he did it unadvisedly, through weakness or ignorance; or
whether he did it wilfully and knowingly. If upon an impartial search he
is found to have wronged his brother through ignorance or weakness, he
must judge charitably of him, and not be harsh and severe towards him,
in his carriage or censure. But if it clearly appear, upon impartial
inquiry, that he did the injury knowingly and wilfully, then the
offended brother must deal with him as a wilful transgressor. He must
lay his sin before him, and show him what laws he hath transgressed;
what evil he hath done him, what wrong to his own soul, and what offence
he hath done to Christ, by breaking his holy laws. He must admonish him
again and again of his sin, and reprove him, but not too severely, until
he find him obstinate and stubborn. And if God convince him of his sin,
and give him repentance unto life, he must readily forgive him. And, if
he be once truly convinced of, and humbled for, his sin, he will most
fully confess it to his brother, as well as to God, and ende