He is visited by some of them, and the matter of fact laid home
to him, be it any evil practice against known and general virtue, or any
branch of their particular testimony, which he, in common, professeth
with them. They labour with him in much love and zeal, for the good of
his soul, the honour of God, and reputation of their profession, to own
his fault and condemn it, in as ample a manner as the evil or scandal was
given by him; which, for the most part, is performed by some written
testimony under the party's hand: and if it so happen, that the party
prove refractory, and is not willing to clear the truth they profess,
from the reproach of his or her evil doing or unfaithfulness, they, after
repeated entreaties and due waiting for a token of repentance, give forth
a paper to disown such a fact, and the party offending: recording the
same as a testimony of their care for the honour of the truth they
profess.
And if he or she shall clear their profession and themselves, by sincere
acknowledgment of their fault, and godly sorrow for so doing, they are
received and looked upon again as members of their communion. For as
God, so his true people, upbraid no man after repentance.
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