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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
God rebukes, reproves, and corrects them, that they may be refined,
sanctified, elevated, and finally exalted to His own throne.
Elder Fuller has heard the testimony borne in public, that the
professed people of God were not all holy, that some were corrupt.
God sought to elevate them, but they refused to come up upon a
high plane of action. The corrupt animal passions bore sway, and
the moral and intellectual powers were overborne and made their
servants. Those who do not control their base passions cannot appre-
ciate the atonement or place a right value upon the soul. Salvation is
not experienced or understood by them. The gratification of animal
passion is the highest ambition of their lives. God will accept noth-
ing but purity and holiness; one spot, one wrinkle, one defect in the
character, will forever debar them from heaven, with all its glories
and treasures.
Ample provisions have been made for all who sincerely,
earnestly, and thoughtfully set about the work of perfecting holiness
in the fear of God. Strength, grace, and glory have been provided
through Christ, to be brought by ministering angels to the heirs of
salvation. None are so low, so corrupt and vile, that they cannot find
in Jesus, who died for them, strength, purity, and righteousness, if
they will put away their sins, cease their course of iniquity, and turn
with full purpose of heart to the living God. He is waiting to strip
them of their garments, stained and polluted by sin, and to put upon
them the white, bright robes of righteousness; and He bids them
live and not die. In Him they may flourish. Their branches will not
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wither nor be fruitless. If they abide in Him, they can draw sap and
nourishment from Him, be imbued with His Spirit, walk even as He
walked, overcome as He overcame, and be exalted to His own right
hand.
Elder Fuller has been warned. The warnings given to others
condemned him. The sins reproved in others reproved him and
gave him sufficient light to see how God regarded crimes of such a
character as he was committing, yet he would not turn from his evil
course. He continued to pursue his fearful, impious work, corrupting
the bodies and souls of his flock. Satan had strengthened the lustful
passions which this man did not subdue, and engaged them in his
cause to lead souls to death.