The retaining of sins, the excommunication from the Christian congregation, the ban, as it is called, should be executed upon those members of the congregation who are wicked, that is, who are manifest and impenitent sinners. Their sin must be manifest, that is, a sin which is recognised by every one in the congregation as an evident transgression of the Law of God. But even this is not enough for the execution of the ban. The impenitence of the sinner must also be evident to all in the congregation. But how is this possible? Who can look into the heart you say? It is not necessary to look into any one's heart. Our Lord and Saviour has indicated a way in which it can be known whether a sinner is impenitent. It is given in Matt. 18:15-17. He that knows of the sin of a brother should go to him, and very lovingly, patiently, and forbearingly seek to convince him of his sin. If the sinner accepts the admonition, he has been gained, and all is well. If he refuses to accept it, then - I shall now address you - take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established, and again admonish the sinner very patiently and forbearingly in the love of Christ. If he neglects to hear you, then, together with the witnesses, tell it to the church to which the sinning brother belongs. This congregation should then try to persuade him to repent. If he persistently refuses to hear the congregation, then he is certainly impenitent; for the Lord Jesus, the merciful Searcher of hearts, says that we should then consider such a person a heathen man and a publican. Then the pastor of that congregation should execute the verdict of the congregation: he should retain the sins to the sinner, exclude him from the congregation, and publicly announce this. But as soon as the sinner repents, he should be publicly absolved of the ban. For even excommunication is not intended for the perdition, but for the salvation of the soul.