Schaff - History of the Christian Church Vol. 8 - Media Sabda Org

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He distinguished between the discipline of the people and the discipline of
the clergy. f715
1. The discipline of members has three degrees: private admonition; a
second admonition in the presence of witnesses or before the Church; and,
in case of persistent disobedience, exclusion from the Lord’s Table. This is
in accordance with the rule of Christ (Matt. 18:15–17). The object of
discipline is threefold: to protect the body of the Church against
contamination and profanation; to guard the individual members against the
corrupting influence of constant association with the wicked; and to bring
the offender to repentance that he may be saved and restored to the
fellowship of the faithful. Excommunication and subsequent restoration
were exercised by Paul in the case of the Corinthian offender, and by the
Church in her purer days. Even the Emperor Theodosius was excluded
from communion by Bishop Ambrose of Milan on account of the massacre
perpetrated in Thessalonica at his order. f716
Excommunication should be exercised only against flagitious crimes which
disgrace the Christian profession; such as adultery, fornication, theft,
robbery, sedition, perjury, contempt of God and his authority. Nor should
it be exercised by the bishop or pastor alone, but by the body of elders,
and, as is pointed out by Paul, “with the knowledge and approbation of the
congregation; in such a manner, however, that the multitude of the people
may not direct the proceeding, but may watch over it as witnesses and
guardians, that nothing be done by a few persons from any improper
motive.” Moreover, “the severity of the Church must be tempered by a
spirit of gentleness. For there is constant need of the greatest caution,
according to the injunction of Paul concerning a person who may have
been censured, ‘lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with
his overmuch sorrow’ (2 Cor. 2:7); for thus a remedy would become a
poison.”
When the sinner gives reasonable evidence of repentance he is to be
restored. Calvin objects to “the excessive austerity of the ancients,” who
refused to readmit the lapsed. He approves of the course of Cyprian, who
says: “Our patience and kindness and tenderness is ready for all who come;
I wish all to return into the Church; I wish all our fellow-soldiers to be
assembled in the camp of Christ, and all our brethren to be received into
the house of God our Father. I forgive everything; I conceal much. With
ready and sincere affection I embrace those who return with penitence.”