ADMONITION, in Ecclesiastical Affairs, a part of discipline much used in the ancient church. It was the first act, or step, towards the punishment or expulsion of delinquents. In case of private offences, it was performed, according to the evangelical rule, privately: in case of public offence, openly, before the church. If either of those sufficed for the recovery of the fallen person, all further proceedings in the way of censure ceased: if they did not, recourse was had to excommunication.