CHAPTER XXVIII: Of those who, being often corrected, do not amend.
How the Abbot ought to care for the excommunicated.
Let the Abbot have a special care of the offending Brethren, for, "They that are well need not the physician, but they that are sick." [167] He ought, therefore, like a wise physician, to use every means in their regard, and covertly send them as comforters, some elderly and discreet Brothers to console, as it were secretly, the wavering one, and win him to make humble satisfaction. Let them comfort him, that he be not swallowed up by overmuch sorrow, but as the Apostle saith: "Let charity be confirmed towards him, and let all pray for him." [168]
The Abbot ought especially to have care, and with all prudence and industry, to see that he lose none of the sheep committed to his charge. Let him know that he hath undertaken the care of sick souls, and not a tyrannical authority over such as are well. Let him fear the threat of the Prophet, by whom God saith; "What ye saw to be fat, that ye took to yourselves, and what was diseased, that ye threw away."
[169] Let him imitate the loving kindness of the "Good Shepherd," Who "leaving ninety-nine sheep in the mountains, went to seek one that had gone astray, on whose infirmity He took such compassion, that He vouchsafed to lay it on His own sacred shoulder, and thus carry it back to the flock." [170] __________________________________________________________________
[167] Matth. ix. 12.
[168] I Cor. ii. 8.
[169] Ezech. xxxiv. 3.
[170] Luc. xv. 4. __________________________________________________________________
Of those who, being often corrected, do not amend.
If any Brother after being corrected, or even excommunicated for any fault, doth not amend, let a sharper correction be administered to him: that is to say, let him be punished with stripes. But if for all that he do not correct himself, or being puffed up with pride (which God forbid) shall also defend his doings; then let the Abbot act like a wise physician, and after applying the fomentations and ointments of exhortation, the medicines of the Divine Scriptures, and last of all the punishment of excommunication and of scourging; then, if he find that his labours have no effect,--let him add what is more that all this,--his own prayer, and the prayer of the Brethren for him, that the Lord, Who can do all things, would vouchsafe to work a cure upon the infirm Brother. If he be not healed and corrected by this means, then let the Abbot use the sword of separation, according to that saying of the Apostle: "Put away the evil one from among you." [171] And again: "If the faithless one depart, let him depart," [172] lest one diseased sheep should infect the whole flock. __________________________________________________________________
[171] I. Cor. v. 13.
[172] I. Cor. vii. 15. __________________________________________________________________