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Appeal to the Church
395
us, unready to stand pure from evil and lust amid the perils and
corruptions of this degenerate age. They have not on the armor
of righteousness, and are unprepared to war against the prevailing
iniquity. Many are not obeying the commandments of God, yet they
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profess so to do. If they would be faithful to obey all the statutes of
God they would have a power which would carry conviction to the
hearts of the unbelieving.
I have sought to do my duty. I have pointed out the special sins
of some. I was shown that in the wisdom of God the sins and errors
of all would not be revealed. All would have sufficient light to see
their sins and errors, if they desired to do so and earnestly wished
to put them away, and to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord.
They could see what sins God marked and reproved in others. If
these were cherished by themselves, they should know that they
were abhorred of God and were separated from Him; and that unless
they earnestly and zealously set about the work of putting them away
they would be left in darkness. God is too pure to behold iniquity.
A sin is just as grievous in His sight in one case as in another. No
exception will be made by an impartial God. All who are guilty are
addressed in these individual testimonies, although their names may
not be attached to the special testimony borne; and if individuals
pass over and cover up their own sins because their names are not
especially called, they will not be prospered of God. They cannot
advance in the divine life, but will become darker and darker, until
the light of heaven will be entirely withdrawn.
Those who profess godliness, yet are not sanctified by the truth
which they profess, will not change materially their course of ac-
tion, which they know is hateful before God, because they are not
subjected to the trial of being reproved individually for their sins.
They see, by the testimonies of others, their own case faithfully
pointed out before them. They are cherishing the same evil. By
continuing their course of sin, they are violating their consciences,
hardening their hearts, and stiffening their necks, just the same as
though the testimony had been borne directly to them. In passing
on and refusing to put away their sins and correct their wrongs by
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humble confession, repentance, and humiliation, they choose their
own way, and are given up to the same, and are finally led captive by
Satan at his will. They may become quite bold because they are able