As men, we should always exercise so much humanity as to endeavour the
welfare of mankind, particularly of our acquaintance and relations: and,
if by nothing further, at least by our good advice. When we have done
this, and, if occasion required, continued to repeat it a second or
third time, we shall have acquitted ourselves sufficiently from any
imputation upon their miscarriage; and having nothing more to do but to
separate ourselves from them, that we may not be involved in their ruin,
or be supposed to partake of their error. This is an excommunication
which reason allows. For as it would be cruel, on the one side, to
prosecute and hurt people for being mistaken, so, on the other, it would
be indiscreet and over complaisant, to keep them company through all
their wrong notions, and act contrary to our opinion out of pure
civility.