IX. OF EXCOMMUNICATION.

The greater excommunication, as the Pope denominates it, we regard as a mere civil punishment, and it does not pertain to us ministers of the church; but the less, that is, the true Christian excommunication, is, not to permit manifest and obstinate sinners to come to the Sacrament, or to other communion of the church, until they amend their lives and abstain from wickedness. And the preacher should not intermingle civil punishment with this spiritual chastisement or excommunication.